mohs surgery
Precision, expertise, and care - discover the benefits of Mohs surgery for effective skin cancer treatment at our office.
mohs micrographic surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the gold standard treatment for skin cancer removal. Dr. Fancher is a board-certified Micrographic Dermatologic Surgeon (aka ‘Mohs surgeon’) who underwent rigorous fellowship training in skin cancer removal and advanced facial reconstruction. She is a proud fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery and has performed over 10,000 Mohs surgeries.
what is mohs micrographic surgery?
MMS is a surgical procedure utilizing a specialized process for cancer removal and 100% margin evaluation to ensure complete removal of your skin cancer. It is the gold standard for treating most skin cancers of the head and neck (and often other sites as well) as it ensures the highest cure rate (99% cure rate) and spares the greatest amount of normal tissue around the cancer. It is a minimally invasive procedure performed in an outpatient office setting using only local anesthesia. Cancer removal and reconstruction typically occur on the same day.
how does mohs surgery work?
Mohs surgery is a step-by-step process that can take up to 8 hours, with the average being 2-4 hours. Examination of the tissue will be done while you wait in office. Please do not make any other appointments on the day of your surgery.
The surgeon will mark your skin cancer site and the area will be numbed with local anesthesia.
The surgeon will remove the cancer, as well as a small 1-2 mm margin surrounding it.
The removed tissue is processed in our lab for examination under a microscope. Processing each sample takes about approximately 45 minutes.
If the surgeon still sees skin cancer cells in the sample, more tissue will be removed in the area where it is detected.
This process is repeated until no skin cancer is detected. Each pass takes 30-60 minutes for tissue removal, processing and examination.
Once all the skin cancer is removed, the surgeon will discuss reconstruction options; most often, sutures are placed the same day.
what should i expect following mohs surgery?
Do not stop any prescribed medications unless advised to do so by us or your prescribing physician.
Eat meals and take all medication as per your regular schedule on the day of the surgery (unless advised otherwise as noted above).
Shower or bathe and wash hair the morning of surgery.
Wear comfortable, layered clothing.
Bring lunch or snacks and an activity to pass the time. You may also bring a relative or friend to wait with you while your tissue is being processed.
If the procedure is on the face do not wear make-up.
If the procedure is on the eyelid area, you will need a driver.
what should i do to prepare for mohs surgery?
All surgery sites will require the bandage be left in place for the first 24-48 hours. After that, the bandage will need to be changed daily for 1-2 weeks. General post-op guidelines are below. Each patient is different and tailored post-operative instructions will be provided following your surgery.
You may shower daily, but no swimming, use of hot tubs or soaking in a bath tub for 1-3 weeks following surgery.
Avoid exercise, including heavy lifting (over 10 lbs) or cardio activity for 5-7 days.
You may need to take 3-5 days off from school or work depending on your occupation. The Mohs surgeon can provide a physician note for work/school if needed.
If the procedure is on the leg or foot:
-You will need to keep the leg wrapped and elevated as much as possible for 2-3 weeks following surgery, ideally elevated 45 minutes out of every hour for the first 1-2 weeks.
If we allow the wound to heal without sutures (often the case on the lower leg), it will likely take 3-12 weeks to heal fully depending on many factors.