Mohs Surgery

Pittsburgh Dermatology: Why Mohs Surgery is the Gold Standard for Skin Cancer Treatment

Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for both squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, the two most common forms of skin cancer. This procedure, performed under local anesthesia, involves removing the cancer layer by layer and examining the tissue under a microscope in real time. The process continues until only healthy, cancer-free tissue remains around the tumor.

At Pittsburgh Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, each Mohs surgeon is highly specialized as a cancer surgeon, pathologist, and reconstructive surgeon. This unique expertise leads to Mohs surgery achieving the highest success rates among skin cancer treatments, with cure rates nearing 99%. The precision of the procedure ensures that all cancerous tissue is removed while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible, offering patients the best possible outcomes.

Examples of Mohs Surgery

What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer, that offers the highest potential for cure – even if the skin cancer has been previously treated. This procedure is a state-of-the-art treatment in which the physician serves as surgeon, pathologist, and reconstructive surgeon. It relies on the accuracy of a microscope to trace and ensure the removal of skin cancer down to its roots.

This technique allows dermatologists, trained in Mohs surgery, to see beyond the visible disease, and to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, leaving healthy tissue unharmed.

This procedure is most often used in treating three of the most common forms of skin cancer: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

What are the Benefits of Mohs?

The cure rate for Mohs surgery is the highest of all treatments for skin cancer — up to 99 percent even if other forms of treatment have failed. This procedure, the most precise method of tumor removal, minimizes the chance of cancer regrowth and lessens the potential for scarring and disfigurement.

How Pittsburgh Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center Can Help: Mohs Surgery in Pittsburgh, PA

According to statistics reported by the American College of Mohs Surgery, “Mohs micrographic surgery has the highest cure rate of all treatments for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers” with a cure rate exceeding 99 percent for new skin cancers and 95 percent for recurrent skin cancers.”

At Pittsburgh Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, our Mohs surgeons are board-certified and specialize exclusively in Mohs surgery and related dermatological procedures. This focused practice allows them to refine their skills and stay updated on the latest advancements in the field.

Our patient promise is dedicated to your care. Our Mohs surgeons undergo extensive training beyond medical school and residency to ensure you receive comprehensive skin cancer care.

Mohs Surgery FAQs

By using detailed mapping techniques and complete microscopic control, the Mohs surgeon can pinpoint areas involved with cancer that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Therefore, even the smallest microscopic roots of cancer can be removed. The result is:

The removal of as little normal skin as possible,
The highest possibility for curing the cancer.

No. Mohs surgery is performed in a pleasant outpatient surgical suite and you may return home the same day. Hospital facilities are available if necessary.

Your appointment will be scheduled early in the day. Our staff will escort you into a surgical suite where the surgeon will numb the area around the skin cancer. Once it is numb, the visible cancer and a thin layer of tissue will be removed. This tissue is carefully mapped and coded by the surgeon and taken to the adjacent laboratory where the technician will immediately process the microscope slides. You will have a temporary dressing placed over the wound and you will be free to return to the reception area.

The surgical procedure alone takes 10-15 minutes. However, it takes a minimum of 1 1/2 to 2 hours to prepare and microscopically examine the tissues of each layer. Several surgical stages and microscopic examinations may be required, and you will be asked to wait in the patient reception area between stages. Although there is no way to tell before surgery how many stages will be necessary, most cancers are removed in three stages or less.

We would like to make the time you spend with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible. You may want to bring reading material to occupy your time while waiting for the microscope slides to be processed and examined. You may want to bring a sweater, as the temperature in our office varies. Magazines and beverages will be available in the reception area. If your visit extends through the lunch hour, your companion may visit the hospital cafeteria and bring you a snack or lunch since you are asked not to leave the reception area of our office.

The most difficult part of the procedure is waiting for the results from the laboratory. Since we do not know in advance how much time is necessary to remove the cancer and repair the wound, we ask that you plan to be in the office the entire day and that you make no other commitments. Please be sure to inform your companion and/or driver of this.

Yes. Any form of treatment will leave a scar. However, because Mohs surgery removes as little normal tissue as possible, scarring is minimized. Immediately after the cancer is removed, we may choose (1) to leave the wound to heal itself, (2) to repair the wound with stitches, or (3) to reconstruct the wound with a skin graft or flap. This decision is based on the safest method that will provide the best cosmetic result.

Will I need to come back? Usually one return visit is all that is needed to examine the healed surgical site or to remove your surgical dressings. Afterwards, you may return to your referring physician for routine check-ups. Lifetime annual check ups are considered essential. After having one skin cancer, statistics show that you have a higher chance of developing a second skin cancer. You should have your skin checked by your physician at least once each year for four years, not only to examine the treated skin cancer, but also to check for new skin cancers.

The best protection from skin cancer is to avoid the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Even if you tan easily, the sun can contribute to skin cancer in two ways. First, the sunlight damages the genes that control cell growth, and second, sunlight damages the body’s immune system so that early cancers grow unchecked by normal immune defense.

Minimize your exposure by:

Using any sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of at least 30 and preferably with UVA/UVB protection when you spend any time in the sun.
Avoid sun exposure during mid-day hours (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Do not stay outdoors unprotected on cloudy days since the ultraviolet light penetrates easily through the clouds.
If you follow this advice it may not be necessary to restrict your outdoor activities or change your lifestyle.

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What to Expect at Your During Your Mohs Procedure

The Mohs process includes a specific sequence of surgery and pathological investigation. Mohs surgeons examine the removed tissue for evidence of extended cancer roots. Once the visible tumor is removed, Mohs surgeons trace the paths of the tumor using a map of the excised tissue and a microscope.

Once the obvious tumor is removed, Mohs surgeons:

remove an additional, thin layer of tissue from the tumor site.
create a “map” or drawing of the removed tissue to be used as a guide to the precise location of any remaining cancer cells.
microscopically examine the removed tissue thoroughly to check for evidence of remaining cancer cells.

If any of the sections contain cancer cells, Mohs surgeons:

return to the specific area of the residual tumor indicated by the map
remove another thin layer of tissue only from the specific area(s) where cancer cells were detected
microscopically examine the newly removed tissue for additional cancer cells

If microscopic analysis still shows evidence of disease, the process continues layer-by-layer until the cancer is completely gone. Selective removal of only diseased tissue using Mohs Surgery allows the preservation of much of the surrounding normal tissue. This systematic microscopic search reveals the roots of the skin cancer which is why Mohs surgery offers the highest chance possible for complete removal of the cancer while sparing the normal tissue. Cure rates exceed 99 percent for new cancers and 95 percent for recurrent cancers.

How to Prepare for Mohs Surgery

On the morning of your surgery, please shower and wash your hair to reduce the risk of surgical site infection. Have your normal breakfast unless specified otherwise. Upon arrival, complete a medical history form, bringing a list of medications. Discontinue Erectile Dysfunction medication 72 hours before surgery, and aspirin, ibuprofen, or herbal supplements 10 days prior if not medically advised. Alcohol should be avoided 48 hours before surgery. Refrain from makeup, perfume, nail polish, and jewelry. Arrange transportation, as a mild sedative may be administered. Nursing home patients must bring a companion for assistance.

These are general recommendations. We recommend working closely with your specific provider to plan and prepare for your Mohs surgery.

Planning for Recovery after Mohs Surgery

After undergoing Mohs surgery, patients need to plan for a smooth recovery.

Firstly, arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you may feel groggy from any anesthesia used.
Plan to take it easy for a day or two, avoiding strenuous activities.
And, follow your surgeon's post-operative care instructions diligently, which may include keeping the wound clean and dry.

Usually, one return visit is all that is needed to examine the healed surgical site or to remove your surgical dressings. Afterward, you may return to your referring physician for routine check-ups. Lifetime annual skin exams and dermatological checkups are considered essential.

After having one skin cancer, statistics show that you have a higher chance of developing a second skin cancer. You should have your skin checked by your referring dermatologist at least once a year for four years not only to examine the treated skin cancer but also to check for new skin cancers.

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