TREATING SKIN CANCER AND MOHS SURGERY
If we do find a skin cancer, the first thing you will learn is that you are in great hands Steil Dermatology. Our physicians are experienced at treating skin cancer, which means they are also experienced enough to know when they should refer you to an oncologist or other specialist, too. Often, the doctors will work as a team with your other specialists to effectively treat every aspect of your skin cancer.
Most frequently, the doctors will treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in the office. One extremely effective technique for some of these cancers is Mohs surgery. It’s been around since the 1930s, but it’s still the gold standard, especially for cancers on the face where there are concerns about scarring.
It’s important that only very skilled physicians perform this procedure. The skin cancer is removed, layer by layer, and each each layer is biopsied on the spot until NO skin cancer cells are found. The procedure is so effective because it is so precise.
It’s painless (you will be numbed up) but lengthy. Be prepared to spend at least half a day in the office because after each layer of skin is removed, we check it before removing another layer and making sure you leave skin cancer free.
Downtime depends on where we perform the procedure, and how large the caner was. Physically you will be fine for most activities the next day, cosmetically you could have redness or bruising.
