Get in the Know: The Downlow on MOHS
Learning that you have any form of cancer is enough to give you a heart attack. However, as one of the most diagnosed, yet treatable forms of cancer, there are a few ways to get rid skin cancer. As the most effective way of getting rid of basal cell carcinoma, MOHS surgery is unique and gives our patients real results. So, what exactly is MOHS surgery and how is it performed? To help you better understand it, we have created a brief guide. Read on to learn more.
What Is MOHS Surgery?
Given its name by the man who developed this treatment, Dr. Frederick Mohs, MOHS Surgery has been around since the 1930’s. Described by many surgeons as an elegant procedure, MOHS uses a microscopic examination of excised tissues during surgery rather than after. The benefit of this is that it removes cancer cells while not harming as many normal cells in the process.
How Is It Performed?
MOHS surgery involves removing a thin layer of tissue one at a time. As each layer of tissue is removed, it is studied under a microscope to check for cancer cells. If cancer is detected in that layer of skin, the next layer will be removed and examined until a layer of skin is found that is cancer free. This unique and thorough process eliminates any guesswork and leaves you with more surety.
What Is Recovery Like?
Depending on the size of the area of your skin where surgery is being performed, recovery is fairly basic. You will be encouraged to wear a bandage over the skin for about 24 hours while the skin heals. You can expect to experience a slight amount of pain, inflammation, and redness but that should subside after about a week or so.
MOHS is a safe, fast, and effective way to get rid of your basal cell carcinoma or even melanoma. If you have just been diagnosed with skin cancer and would like to learn more about this procedure, contact Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants today to schedule an appointment!
- Published in Mohs Surgery
How to Recover from Mohs
Nobody is excited to hear that they have cancer. However, there are some cancers that are better to hear you have than others. As a less invasive form of cancer, skin cancer is typically easily treatable, and there isn’t much recovery involved. As one of the most precise forms of skin cancer treatment, Mohs is a surgery that involves removing individuals layers of skin to evaluate them for cancerous cells. Because Mohs is a surgical procedure that is noninvasive, it can be done in our outpatient facility in just a few hours with the assistance of a local anesthetic. As one of the most important parts of any surgical procedure, it’s important to know how to recover from it. Read on to learn more.
Pain Relievers
Following your Mohs surgery, you may experience some bleeding at the wound and some pain at the surgical site. To help combat this pain while in recovery, you may be given a painkiller like Ibuprofen to help ease any discomfort. If you have a history of addiction, be sure to tell one of our surgeons or staff.
Avoid the Sun
Once you find out you have skin cancer, the last thing you are going to want to do is go lay out in the sun. As the primary cause of skin cancer, the sun is going to be considered your worse enemy while you are recovery from Mohs. By making your skin more sensitive, Mohs will only increase the likelihood that you will burn and scar after sun exposure. If you do have to go outside, make sure to cover up your wound.
Clean Your Wound
Depending on the severity of your Mohs surgery, you may or may not be given stitches. To protect you against developing an infection, it’s important that you properly clean your wound every day. Following your surgery, you will be given a packet detailed with information on how to clean and care for your wound. If you notice any extreme inflammation, redness, or pus at the incision site, contact our office right away.
To learn more about Mohs and other surgical procedures, contact Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants today!
- Published in Mohs Surgery