FOR PATIENTS
Why Does My Cancer Need Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rate among treatments for skin cancer and can be used for practically any type of skin cancer. There are many other acceptable skin cancer treatment options including freezing (cryosurgery), scraping & burning, surgical removal (excision), and laser surgery, which all require the surgeon to estimate how extensively to treat the area around the tumor. There are many advantages to Mohs surgery compared to other other skin cancer treatments including its high cure rate and cost-effectiveness. It is especially appropriate for skin cancers that:
- Develop on areas where preserving cosmetic appearance and function are important
- Have recurred after previous treatment or are likely to recur
- Are located in scar tissue
- Are large
- Have edges that are ill-defined
- Grow rapidly
Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for most types of skin cancer. To learn more about your options, find a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon in your area.