Why is this procedure done?
Mohs micrographic surgery is used to treat skin cancer. This surgery is used to remove certain kinds of skin cancers like basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. The doctor removes only the amount of skin that has cancer during the Mohs procedure. ‚
This surgery is done if your skin cancer: ‚
- Is on your face, scalp, ears, neck, shins, hands, fingers, feet, toes, and genitals
- Has returned after an earlier treatment
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What will the results be?
Your skin cancer will be removed. The cure rate is high for skin cancer using the Mohs procedure. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. Your doctor may also order some tests such as CT scan, x-ray, blood test, and skin and lymph node biopsy.
- Tell your doctor if you have any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
What happens during the procedure?
- The staff will clean your skin. You will be given a drug to keep you relaxed and pain free during your surgery. You will also get a shot of numbing drug around the skin cancer. This may sting when the drug goes in the skin.
- Your doctor will cut away the part of the skin cancer that is easy to see. The doctor will also remove the layer of skin below it.
- These layers are split into many sections. They are carefully labeled and frozen.
- The doctor looks at the tissue under the microscope. It takes time for the doctor to carefully look at the skin and check for cancer. If your doctor finds cancer at the removed layer, your doctor will remove more layers until all parts are cancer free.
- The procedure sometimes takes hours. The doctor keeps you informed of how the procedure is going during this time.
- If your wound is large, your doctor will use stitches, a skin flap, or a skin graft to close your wound.
- If your wound is small, it may heal without stitches.
- The procedure takes an hour or more.
What happens after the procedure?
- Your doctor will tell you when you may go home.
- You may feel pain after your surgery.
- Take the pain drugs as ordered by your doctor.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Avoid being in the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM.
- When you are going outdoors, apply sunscreen on your skin with sun protection factor or an SPF of at least 15. Ask your doctor what sunscreen is best for your skin type.
- Reapply sunscreen on your skin often.
- Wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, skirts, and pants when you are out in the sun.
- Protect your skin from the sun even during winter and cloudy days.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Pain
Where can I learn more?
American College of Mohs Surgery ‚
http://www.skincancermohssurgery.org/mohs-surgery/mohs-procedure.php ‚
Skin Cancer Foundation ‚
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/mohs-surgery ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚