Who is a Candidate for Mohs Surgery?

Mohs Surgery is a procedure that is designed to remove skin cancer while limiting the amount of healthy tissue that is removed during the procedure. The procedure enjoys a high cure rate for many common types of skin cancer compared to other procedures and treatments.

What Types of Skin Cancer Are Treated?

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous carcinoma are two common types of skin cancer and may be treated using Mohs Surgery. Certain types of melanomas and various other rare forms of skin cancer may be treated as well.

The Wrong Candidate

Patients who cannot tolerate local anesthesia or who are in poor overall health may not be considered candidates for this procedure. Disclose your medical history to the surgeon before Mohs Surgery, as patients with certain health conditions may not be considered candidates for Mohs Surgery or may be required to take certain precautions or antibiotics before the procedure. These include certain heart problems or those with a history of Staph infection.

When Mohs Surgery is Advantageous

Mohs Surgery is often used in cases when the area being treated is on the face or neck. These highly visible areas are considered cosmetically important and because Mohs Surgery limits the damage to healthy tissue and skin, it is often considered an ideal treatment in these cases. This procedure may also be used to treat skin cancer in children and in cases when there is a high risk that the cancer will spread to other areas of the body. Recurring cases of skin cancer may also be treated with Mohs Surgery. Talk to your doctor for more information about this procedure and to determine your own candidacy for Mohs Surgery.