The Remarkable Success of Mohs Surgery in Treating Skin Cancer By William P. Baugh on April 30, 2016

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with more than 8,500 people in the country diagnosed with the disease every day. Fortunately, the most common forms of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are also among the most treatable forms of cancer when caught in their earliest stages and treated in an appropriate and timely manner. Again, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, when melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate among patients is approximately 98 percent.

At Full Spectrum Dermatology, Dr. William Baugh and his highly trained and skilled team of dermatologists have the ability to diagnose and treat skin cancer in its earliest stages, when it can most effectively be treated. They offer the most advanced and effective treatment options in the battle against this devious disease, including Mohs surgery. In cases involving skin cancer and Mohs surgery at their Fullerton, CA dermatology practice, Dr. Baugh and his team coordinate with physicians at St. Joe’s or St. Jude’s to ensure that patients receive the best possible medical care and stand the absolute best chance of surviving skin cancer.

If you have noticed any suspicious growths or discolorations on your skin, or if any moles or other growths have changed shape or color recently, don’t take chances. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Baugh at Full Spectrum Dermatology immediately.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs is a form of microsurgery in which thin layers of tissue are removed from the skin and immediately examined under a microscope to determine whether cancer cells are present. Dr. Baugh numbs the area with local anesthesia and then removes an extremely thin slice of tissue from the tumor. This tissue is then stained and examined under the microscope. If its margins evidence cancer cells, further tissue is removed from the margins and examined, until no more cancer cells are found. In this way, Dr. Baugh is able to target all of the cancerous cells while sparing the greatest amount of healthy skin tissues possible.

Mohs surgery allows Dr. Baugh to examine 100 percent of the tumor’s margins, which dramatically lowers the risk that tumor cells will be overlooked. He employs the same approach in exploring the depth of a tumor, removing levels of tissue until the tissue removed is free of cancer cells. The resulting wound is then closed and repaired to ensure the most cosmetically appealing result possible. Sometimes skin grafting is necessary to fully closing the wound.

Many patients emerge from Mohs surgery free from cancer. The procedure has a remarkably low recurrence rate and is one of the reasons that skin cancer is now associated with such a high survival rate.