How Mohs Surgery Lowers Your Risk for Skin Cancer Recurrence

At Orange Coast Dermatology, we offer a comprehensive array of treatment options for all forms of skin cancer. One of our most innovative and effective offerings is Mohs micrographic surgery, a revolutionary outpatient procedure.

With the Mohs procedure, we use incredible precision to remove all cancerous skin cells while preserving your healthy tissue. 

Mohs surgery is an intricate process requiring special training and accreditation for surgeons. At Orange Coast Dermatology, both Dr. Daniel Di Cesare and Dr. Jeffrey Lander are trained in this procedure. They and the rest of our team are here to guide you through your skin cancer journey. 

Let’s go over what you can expect from the Mohs surgery procedure and why it has one of the highest success rates of all skin cancer treatments.

What is Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery was developed by Dr. Frederick Mohs in the 1930s. It is a highly effective treatment for all types of skin cancer but is mostly used for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and early stages of melanoma. 

You’re awake during the procedure and only require a local anesthetic. We limit the surgical site to the exact location of your skin cancer. After preparing you for surgery, we use a scalpel to remove the skin layer by layer, analyzing each layer under a microscope after every stage of removal. 

This process allows us to see exactly where your tissue is cancerous and where it is healthy. We use this data to create your surgical map, only removing the damaged tissue while keeping your healthy skin intact. 

A desirable effect of this approach lies in your cosmetic results. We’re able to keep the incision size minimal, avoiding scarring as much as possible. You’ll likely only require a few stitches at the most, but perhaps not need them at all. 

Our favorite thing about Mohs surgery is its incredible success rate of over 99%. Alternative procedures typically have a success rate of 90-95%. Each case is different, so we recommend the best treatment for your case.

But if Mohs surgery is an option for you, you can take comfort in knowing your cancer has a less than 1% chance of coming back. 

How does Mohs surgery prevent skin cancer recurrence?

Many of the benefits of Mohs surgery come from its precise approach. Because the procedure uses microscopic analysis, we can ensure that all cancer is removed. And because we also prioritize keeping your healthy tissue while removing cancerous areas, we are able to minimize trauma. 

This reduces the risk of complications, such as delayed wound healing or infection. Those complications can sometimes increase the risk of cancer recurrence. 

The surgical mapping process in Mohs surgery also allows for careful and precise documentation. We can be meticulous during surgery and in our follow-up care. We work with you to closely monitor your progress, reducing the chances of missed or returning cancer. 

Our approach to care, as well as the personalized nature of Mohs surgery, allows us to tailor your treatment plan to your specific needs.

While Mohs surgery has a low risk of recurrence, your outcome may vary depending on the tumor type, size, location, and individual patient factors. Regular follow-up and sun protection are essential to minimize the risk of developing new skin cancers.

If you or a loved one is facing skin cancer or any skin health concerns and you’re in SoCal, we’d love to help you. We have locations in Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, and Orange, California. Don’t hesitate to call, send us a message here, or use this link to schedule an appointment.