If you’re concerned that you may be at risk for skin cancer, or you simply want to know more about it, consider consulting a dermatologist, particularly someone who is trained in Mohs surgery – the gold standard for treating the most common types of skin cancer.
The questions below can help you get a good starting point for your discussion with your Mohs surgeon about skin cancer.
Q: How Does Mohs Surgery Help with Skin Cancer?
Mohs surgery – named after Dr. Frederick Mohs – is a highly specialized technique that involves a dermatologist removing layers of skin until all the cancer is gone. The goal of the treatment is to eliminate as much skin cancer as possible while preserving the healthy tissue around it, thereby maximizing functional and cosmetic outcomes.
Mohs surgery is an in-office procedure done under local anesthesia. The entire process can last several hours.
Q: Will I Have a Scar After Mohs Surgery?
Because Mohs surgery is a tissue-sparing technique, it produces better cosmetic results compared to other procedures.
Q: Will Mohs Surgery CureSkin Cancer?
Mohs surgery boasts the highest cure rate for squamous and basal cell carcinomas (up to 99 percent), compared to other treatment modalities.
While Mohs surgery is not usually recommended for melanoma – given the highly aggressive nature of this type of skin cancer – the procedure is occasionally done to treat melanoma in situ (stage 0), which involves only the top layer of the skin.
Q: Will My Skin Cancer Return?
Some cancers carry a higher risk of recurrence than others do. So, ask your dermatologist about the possible outcomes related to your particular cancer.
If your dermatologist determines that you do have a risk for recurrence, they will likely recommend follow-up appointments and periodic imaging tests, such as MRIs or CAT scans.
Q: What Can I Do to Prevent Skin Cancer?
To minimize your risk for skin cancer or its recurrence, make sure to do the following:
- Seeking shade between 10 am and 4 pm
- Wearing wide-brimmed hats and applying sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when outdoors
- Not smoking
- Checking your skin regularly
- Seeing your dermatologist at least once a year
Trusted Mohs Surgeon Near Me in Coral Gables, FL
At Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, Dr. Theodore John (T.J.) Giuffrida, our board-certified Mohs surgeon, is renowned for not only the unparalleled treatment outcomes he delivers but also for his passion to educate patients about the importance of keeping their skin healthy and giving it UV protection whenever necessary.
Book your appointment with Dr. Giuffrida today. Contact our office at (305) 461-2000, or submit an appointment request by filling out this form.
