Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery is a procedure used to treat skin cancer. This surgery involves cutting away thin layers of skin. Each thin layer is looked at closely for signs of cancer. The process keeps going until there are no signs of cancer. The goal of Mohs surgery is to remove all of the skin cancer without hurting the healthy skin around it. Mohs surgery allows the surgeon to be sure that all the cancer is gone. This makes it more likely that the cancer is cured. It reduces the need for other treatments or more surgery.

Mohs surgery is used to treat skin cancer. This includes common types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It also includes melanoma and other less-common skin cancers. Mohs surgery is most useful for skin cancers that: Have a high risk of coming back or that have returned after previous treatment. Are in areas where you want to keep as much healthy tissue as possible. This includes areas around the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hands, feet and genitals. Have edges that are hard to define. Are large or grow quickly.

Problems that can happen during and after Mohs surgery include: Bleeding Pain or tenderness around the places where surgery was done Infection Other problems that can happen are less common. They may include: Temporary or permanent numbness of the surgical area. This can happen if small nerve endings are cut. Temporary or permanent weakness of the surgical area. This can happen if a muscle nerve is cut to remove a large skin cancer. Shooting pain in the area. A large scar.

Your surgeon may recommend ways you can prepare for your surgery. You may be asked to: Stop taking certain medicines. Tell the surgeon what medicines or supplements you take. Be sure to mention any medicines that thin the blood. Some supplements may make you bleed more after surgery. That's why you want to make sure your surgeon knows about the supplements you take, too. Continue taking any prescription medicines unless your surgeon tells you to stop. Clear your schedule for the day. It's not possible to know how long your Mohs surgery will take. For most people, the procedure takes less than four hours. Your surgeon may tell you to plan for the surgery to take all day, just in case it might. But there's a very small chance it could take that long. Wear comfortable clothing. Wear casual clothes that are comfortable. Dress in layers in case the room is warm or cold. Bring something to help pass the time. Expect some waiting time during your Mohs surgery. Bring a book, magazine or other activity to help you pass the time. Eat before surgery. It's usually OK to eat before your appointment. Unless a member of your health care team tells you differently, you can eat your usual meals.

You typically go to an outpatient surgery center or doctor's office for Mohs surgery. The procedure is done in an operating room or procedure room. The room has a lab nearby. Most of the time, the procedure takes less than four hours. But it can be hard to tell how large a skin cancer is just by looking at it. So health care providers often recommend planning for the procedure to take the whole day. You probably won't have to wear a surgical gown unless the location of the cancer requires it. The area of skin to be operated on is cleaned and then outlined with a special pen. After that, you are given a shot in the area with medicine called a local anesthetic. The shot might hurt for a few seconds, and then the medicine numbs the skin. This is done so you won't feel any pain during the procedure.