Common Questions and Concerns About Mohs Surgery

At Blue Ridge Dermatology, we specialize in skin cancer treatments, including Mohs surgery, in Clyde, NC. A skin cancer diagnosis can be very alarming. Still, early intervention and treatments have the highest cure rates, so keep your annual appointments to ensure you are examined regularly for signs of skin cancer by your dermatologist, Dr. Michael Masters.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

Micrographic surgery, or Mohs surgery, was developed in 1935 by Dr. Fredrick Mohs. It combines skin cell removal with microscopically examining each layer of skin cells as it is removed. Procedures can take a few hours and are divided into stages to carefully remove all layers of a tumor. Examining each layer as it is removed allows your doctor to see that all the cancerous cells have been eliminated and to remove less healthy skin.

Why Is It Recommended?

Reasons your Clyde, NC, skin doctor may recommend Mohs surgery include:

• High Cure Rate: Mohs surgery has a high cure rate and low recurrence rate for basal cell and squamous cell cancers, the most commonly diagnosed types.
• Less scarring: Removing the cancerous skin cells and leaving healthy skin unharmed typically results in less visible scarring.

Am I A Good Candidate?

Mohs surgery is most often used on large tumors but is also effective when treating delicate skin. The micrographic technique is often used when skin cancer is in a difficult location, like the eyelids. This way, you can preserve as much healthy skin as possible for both functional and aesthetic reasons.

If your tumor is not a good candidate for Mohs surgery, we will discuss alternatives to remove cancerous skin cells.

Schedule A Consultation Now

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, contact Blue Ridge Dermatology for an appointment with an expert dermatologist, Dr. Masters. We offer Mohs surgery in Clyde, NC, to treat large tumors and preserve healthy skin. Call us at (828) 456-7343.