Top 3 Skin Cancer Treatment Options:
MOHS Micrographic Surgery
MOHS micrographic surgery is a specialized technique used for the treatment of skin cancer. The procedure involves the surgical removal of cancerous cells in successive layers to ensure complete elimination while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. After each removal, the tissue is immediately examined under a microscope to assess the extent of the cancer and determine if further removal is required. This process is repeated until all cancerous cells are removed, leaving as little scarring as possible. This procedure is most often used for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, two common types of skin cancer. MOHS micrographic surgery is effective in achieving high cure rates for skin cancer, making it a popular and reliable treatment option.
What is the Difference Between MOHS Surgery and MOHS Micrographic Surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery, also referred to as Mohs surgery, was created in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic Mohs. Dr. Mohs was a chemist and surgeon who was interested in finding an effective treatment for skin cancer. He devised the procedure as a way to remove skin cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. While it was initially developed for the treatment of melanoma, the procedure later proved to be effective in treating other types of skin cancer as well.
The procedure involves removing cancerous tissue layer by layer, and the removed sections are immediately examined under a microscope. The process is repeated until there is no longer any detectable cancer present. The advantage of Mohs surgery is that it removes less healthy tissue than other treatments, which can be particularly beneficial when cancer is located in certain sensitive areas, such as the face. Mohs surgery has since become a widely used and respected treatment for skin cancer across the globe.
Over time, people have begun to shorten the full name of the procedure will sometimes drop the “micrographic” term in the procedure and simply refer to it as “MOHS Surgery” or even just “MOHS”.
Is MOHS Surgery the Only Way to Treat Skin Cancer?
Superficial radiation therapy (SRT) is a non-invasive cancer treatment option that is becoming increasingly popular for treating non-melanoma skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. SRT uses low energy radiation to deliver a controlled dose of radiation directly to the cancerous cells on the skin’s surface, without affecting the surrounding healthy tissues and organs. This makes it a less invasive option compared to surgery, which can require incisions, sutures, and a longer recovery time. SRT treatment sessions are relatively short, usually lasting between a few minutes to half an hour. Most patients can resume their daily activities immediately after the treatment, making it ideal for people with busy schedules.
SRT also provides patients with excellent cosmetic outcomes with minimal scarring, which is a major advantage for skin cancers that are located on the face, neck, and other visible areas. Additionally, SRT is usually covered by most insurance plans, which makes it an affordable treatment option for patients who may not want to go through surgery. While SRT may not be suitable for all types of skin cancers, it is an option that patients can discuss with their dermatologist to determine if it is suitable for their particular case. Overall, the growing popularity of SRT underscores its efficacy as a non-invasive and cost-effective alternative to surgery for patients with non-melanoma skin cancers.
Does Mobile Skin Solutions Offer Skin Cancer Treatment?
Mobile Skin Solutions offers medical dermatology treatments, skin cancer treatment and surgical removal of non-melanoma skin cancers. Our team of board certified, licensed and experienced medical professionals can help you understand your skin cancer treatment options. Call us or complete our Skin Cancer Consultation form today.