Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique used to treat the most common skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, as well as some kinds of melanoma and other more unusual skin cancers.
What To Know About
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
This surgery is especially useful for skin cancers that:
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Have a high risk of recurrence or that have recurred after previous treatment
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Are located in areas where you want to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible,
such as around the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hands, feet and genitals -
Have borders that are hard to define
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Are large or aggressive
Hugh Gloster, M.D.
Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon
Dermatologic Oncology Diplomate
Dr. Gloster comes to Associates in Dermatology from the University of Cincinnati where he was a Professor of Dermatology and Director of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology. Dr.Gloster’s primary areas of expertise are cutaneous oncology, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, and reconstruction.
If you think you may be a candidate for Mohs surgery, call to schedule your consult with Dr. Gloster and his team.
During Mohs surgery, thin layers of cancer-containing skin are progressively removed and examined until only cancer-free tissue remains. The goal is to remove as much of the skin cancer as possible, while doing minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Mohs surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis using a local anesthetic. It is an improvement to standard surgery (local excision), which involves removing the visible cancer and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue all at once. Mohs surgery allows surgeons to verify that all cancer cells have been removed at the time of surgery. This increases the chance of a cure and reduces the need for additional treatments or additional surgery.
Once the skin cancer is removed, the wound may be left open to heal on its own, or closed with stitches. In most instances Dr. Gloster will close the wound immediately after obtaining clear margins. In some cases, Dr. Gloster may coordinate the repair of your wound with another specialist such as a plastic surgeon, an oculoplastic surgeon or a hand surgeon.
To see if you are a candidate, call us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Gloster, a Fellowship-Trained, highly experienced Mohs surgeon at Associates in Dermatology.
Efficient, cost-effective treatment
- Single-visit outpatient surgery
- Local anesthesia
- Lab work done on-site
Precise results
- Physician examines 100% of tumor margins
- Spares healthy tissue
- Leaves the smallest scar possible
The Highest Cure Rate
- Up to 99% for a skin cancer that has not been treated before
- Up to 94% for a skin cancer that has recurred after previous treatment