Mohs Surgery
in Scottsdale, AZ
Mohs micrographic surgery is accepted as the most effective treatment for the two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), providing a 98 percent higher success rate than other treatment methods. This method spares the greatest amount of healthy skin while providing the most effective cancer treatment available.
Mohs micrographic surgery is accepted as the most effective treatment for the two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), providing a 98 percent higher success rate than other treatment methods. This method spares the greatest amount of healthy skin while providing the most effective cancer treatment available.
What Is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique primarily used for removing skin cancer. This technique was first performed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic Mohs, which is where the procedure gets its name. Since then, Mohs surgery has evolved with technological advancements to remove skin cancer while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. It is also considered to be a less invasive procedure than alternative excisional techniques for removing skin cancer.
During Mohs surgery, layers of cancerous tissue are systemically removed, with each layer being meticulously examined under a microscope until no cancer cells remain. Mohs surgery aims to minimize damage to healthy tissue and is particularly useful for cancers with indistinct borders or those located in cosmetically sensitive areas.
Am I a Candidate for Mohs Surgery in Scottsdale & Maricopa, AZ?
People diagnosed with BCC or SCC are typically good candidates for Mohs surgery, as those types of cancers have a high risk of coming back. Mohs surgery is meant to remove skin cancer lesions from the body until all the remaining skin tissue is cancer-free.
Mohs surgery is not recommended as a treatment for melanoma. Melanoma is a more aggressive form of cancer and can spread deeper than what can be removed with Mohs surgery.
Schedule a consultation at Skin & Cancer Center of Scottsdale to see if Mohs surgery is the right treatment for you.
How Should I Prepare for Mohs Surgery?
Before your Mohs treatment, you’ll receive some instructions to help you arrive at your appointment properly prepared. If you’re a smoker, you’ll be asked to quit smoking at least a few weeks before and after surgery to ensure that your body’s natural healing process won’t be affected. You also may need to adjust the medications you’re taking and stop using medications that are considered blood thinners, as these can increase bleeding and the risk of blood clots.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing to your appointment, as the entire Mohs surgery process may take a while. Some patients may spend the majority of the day at their appointment since there may be multiple stages needed for removing the cancer.
How Is Mohs Micrographic Surgery Performed in Scottsdale, AZ?
Mohs surgery is a fairly simple procedure. First, you’ll be numbed with the use of a local anesthetic. Your surgeon will use a microscope to examine the skin cancer lesion and will remove a standard tissue sample of two millimeters around the visible biopsy site. The remaining skin will be cauterized to stop the bleeding, and the wound will be temporarily bandaged. The skin tissue that was removed will be examined and processed on a slide to see if it is positive. If the tissue is positive, you will be brought back so the surgeon can remove an additional layer of skin. This process will be repeated until the remaining skin tissue is cancer-free.
During traditional surgery, only some tumor margins can be examined. When Mohs surgery is performed, each layer of skin is examined after removal until no evidence of cancer remains. The surgeon then closes the wound using advanced surgical techniques. In some cases, the closure may be delayed and later closed by a plastic surgeon.
What Is the Recovery from Mohs Surgery Like?
Surgical incisions from Mohs micrographic surgery differ depending on the severity of the case and may take from several days to several weeks to heal. Most patients are able to return home the same day as their procedure.
Discomfort and pain are typically felt the most during the first three days after surgery. Depending on the location of your treated area and the extent of your treatment, you may be instructed to refrain from strenuous physical activities for one week or more. You’ll also need to keep the surgical site clean and covered for one week (or longer, depending on your surgeon’s instructions) to reduce the risk of infection and sun damage.
The body will produce a scar that, like any scar tissue, will take 6 to 18 months to fully heal. Follow-up examinations are necessary, as is a five-year follow-up to check and ensure that cancer has not returned. It is important to keep all of your follow-up appointments.
What Results Can I Expect After Mohs Surgery?
After Mohs surgery, your basal or squamous cell cancer lesion will be removed, and you will be free of the cancer. Your surgeon will seal the skin to close the wound from where the tissue was removed. Mohs surgery will leave a scar; however, it does preserve as much healthy skin as possible.
How Much Does Mohs Surgery Cost?
The cost of Mohs surgery in Scottsdale, AZ, will be based on a number of factors. It’s essential to know that the fees you’ll be paying include operating room costs, anesthesia fees, and the surgeon’s fee. It should also be noted that surgeons’ fees will vary depending on their expertise. During your Mohs surgery consultation, you’ll receive a price quote for your customized treatment plan.
Mohs Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover Mohs surgery?
Many insurance companies offer coverage for Mohs surgery for some or all of the associated costs. Insurance providers typically work with patients to get coverage since removing skin cancer is seen as a medical necessity. You can contact your insurance provider to learn more about your plan and how coverage for Mohs surgery will be determined. Our knowledgeable staff at Skin & Cancer Center of Scottsdale is happy to assist with insurance information.
How painful is Mohs surgery?
With the use of local anesthesia during the procedure, most patients report minimal to no pain during their Mohs surgery. Some body areas may be more sensitive during the anesthesia administration, yet once the area is fully numbed, patients shouldn’t feel pain.
What are the alternatives to Mohs surgery?
Other skin cancer treatments that may be suitable alternatives include cryosurgery, electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C), and radiation therapy. However, it is important to note that Mohs surgery is generally a better option for more delicate body areas where preserving healthy skin tissue is a high priority.
Basal or squamous cell carcinomas near areas such as the eyes, nose, ears, mouth, genitals, hands, or feet are often good candidates for Mohs surgery. This is because these regions are either highly visible in daily life or crucial for daily movements and functions.
Will I need reconstructive surgery after Mohs surgery?
Some patients may want to have reconstructive surgery after their Mohs procedure, especially if the skin cancer was removed from their face. Depending on the amount of healthy tissue that is salvageable, some patients may be left with a large wound. In these cases, reconstructive surgery can be a transformative option to help patients feel more like themselves after their skin cancer treatment.
Options for reconstructive surgery may include skin grafts and local flap closures. Your Mohs surgeon can walk you through your reconstructive options during your consultation.
Want to Learn More About Mohs Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ?
Skin & Cancer Center of Scottsdale performs Mohs micrographic surgery on-site with medically trained dermatologists experienced in Mohs surgery. If you have been diagnosed with basal or squamous cell carcinoma and need treatment, let us help you along your skin health journey.
To inquire with questions or to schedule your Mohs surgery consultation, call us at (480) 596-1110. If you prefer, you can also complete our online contact form instead.
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3 Convenient Locations to Serve You
Skin & Cancer Center of Scottsdale is proud to serve our patients with three convenient locations in Scottsdale, Maricopa, and Carefree, Arizona. Whether you’re seeking advanced skincare solutions or routine evaluations and treatments, our experienced team is here to provide exceptional care close to home. Let us help you achieve your healthiest, most radiant skin in a location that best fits your lifestyle.
Scottsdale, AZ:
11000 North Scottsdale Road Suite #245
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Carefree, AZ:
36800 North Sidewinder Rd. Suite A-2
Carefree, AZ 85377
Maricopa, AZ:
19756 North John Wayne Pkwy. Suite 101
Maricopa, AZ 85139
