Mohs Surgery is a microscopically controlled surgery that is highly effective in removing common types of skin cancer. With a cure rate between 97% and 99%, it is considered the preferred technique for treating most basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), the two most common types of skin cancer. The procedure can also be used to treat early stage melanomas.
Initially developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs in the 1930’s, it has since evolved into a state-of-the-art treatment with continuous refinements and improvements over the past 80 years. After decades of incredibly successful surgeries there is no doubt that Mohs Surgery is perhaps one of the safest, most effective treatments for common types of skin cancer.
At Sadick Dermatology, we are experts in identifying skin cancers and then utilizing the Mohs technique to remove any concerning tissue. Led by renowned Mohs Surgeon Zeena Al-Dujaili, our team is able to see beyond the visible disease in order to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, layer by layer, while leaving the surrounding healthy tissue intact and unharmed. This minimizes scarring, reduces the chance of cancer regrowth, and promotes more rapid healing. As such, the Mohs technique is also the treatment of choice for cancers on the face and other sensitive areas as it relies on the accuracy of microscopic evaluations to trace the edges of the cancer and ensure complete removal of all cancerous tissue down to the roots.
Initially developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs in the 1930’s, it has since evolved into a state-of-the-art treatment with continuous refinements and improvements over the past 80 years. After decades of incredibly successful surgeries there is no doubt that Mohs Surgery is perhaps one of the safest, most effective treatments for common types of skin cancer.
At Sadick Dermatology, we are experts in identifying skin cancers and then utilizing the Mohs technique to remove any concerning tissue. Led by renowned Mohs Surgeon Zeena Al-Dujaili, our team is able to see beyond the visible disease in order to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, layer by layer, while leaving the surrounding healthy tissue intact and unharmed. This minimizes scarring, reduces the chance of cancer regrowth, and promotes more rapid healing. As such, the Mohs technique is also the treatment of choice for cancers on the face and other sensitive areas as it relies on the accuracy of microscopic evaluations to trace the edges of the cancer and ensure complete removal of all cancerous tissue down to the roots.
What Are The Benefits Of Doing Mohs Surgery?
As mentioned above, Mohs Surgery is perhaps the most trusted, proven method of addressing skin cancer. In summary, Mohs offers:
- Convenient Care: At Sadick Dermatology we perform Mohs on an outpatient basis. The entire procedure is conducted in our office, with local anesthesia.
- Insurance Coverage: Given the successful history of Mohs micrographic surgery, the procedure is covered by most insurance plans.
- Accuracy: Mohs is a very meticulous procedure that involves precise removal of tissue, layer by layer, to ensure that we get all of the cancerous tissue without unnecessarily harming the surrounding healthy tissue.
- Efficacy: With cure rates up to 99%, Mohs is without question a major success story in our team’s fight against skin cancer.
Step By Step Overview Of Mohs
- Your surgeon will examine the area of concern, discuss it with you, and mark it accordingly.
- Local anesthesia is used to numb the area prior to surgery.
- Using a scalpel, the Mohs surgeon will slowly remove the most prominent layer of the cancerous tissue.
- In the lab, the team then cuts the tissue and uses special dye to create a “map” of the cancer. Thin slices are made in a temperature-controlled setting for analysis.
- Using a microscope, the surgeon then evaluates these layers of tissue to determine if another layer of tissue needs to be removed. It is important to meticulously analyze these to ensure any roots of the cancer are eliminated.
- If necessary, your surgeon will continue to remove the cancerous tissue layer by layer during additional stages, analyzing each layer under a microscope, to remove all of the cancerous tissue.
- Once all of the cancer has been removed, your Mohs surgeon will close the surgical site for proper healing (although in some cases of minor removals, no surgical closure is necessary and the wound is allowed to heal on its own).
- Your physician will give you instructions for follow-on care and evaluation to ensure successful healing and no regrowth of the cancer.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
At Sadick Dermatology our Mohs surgery is performed in our offices, under local anesthesia with no need for hospital visits or overnight stays. Depending on the complexity of the case your visit with us may last a few hours or half a day, but please note all of that time is not spent in surgery. The procedure itself is performed in stages as the physician removes one layer of tissue at a time. Each stage is then analyzed independently to examine the depth and edges of the underlying tissue to ensure only healthy tissue remains. It is a careful, precise process requiring a fine touch, experienced doctor, and committed team.
Be sure to follow the instructions of your physician prior to your surgery and ask any questions you may have of the team. At Sadick Dermatology, these pre-surgery guidelines include but are not limited to:
• Let your Mohs surgeon know of any existing medical conditions or previous surgeries you’ve had. This includes any implants or artificial joints.
• Communicate any medications that you currently take.
• Avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs at least 4 days prior to your surgery.
• Avoid alcohol and vitamin E supplements at least 2 days prior to your surgery.
• Get a good night’s sleep and have a normal, healthy breakfast before your Mohs surgery. As the anesthesia is local, there is no need to fast prior to the procedure.
• While many Mohs surgery procedures only require a few hours in the office, some cases require a half day or more. Therefore, we recommend blocking the entire day between 8am and 6pm for your procedure. Yes, we understand that New Yorkers have busy schedules, but the procedure is well worth the time, even in a nonstop city like NYC.
Sadick Dermatology has a proven track record of successful Mohs surgeries dating back nearly three decades. Our Mohs team is led by fellowship-trained Dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Zeena Al-Dujaili, who has performed over 2,000 Mohs surgeries and is known as one of the best Mohs surgeons in NYC. In addition to medical dermatology and Mohs Surgery, Dr. Al-Dujaili is a highly skilled cosmetic dermatologist, which allows her to bring a higher level of detail to her surgeries and closures; resulting in minimal scarring and improved aesthetic outcomes.
Our team will provide explicit post-procedure instructions for your surgical site care and healing. We advise against any strenuous activity or exercise for 48 hours following Mohs surgery. Some swelling and mild discomfort can be expected, but these tend to resolve gradually over the following week.
