A Comprehensive Comparison of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Other Skin Cancer Treatments
- Posted on: Aug 15 2022
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has been a skin cancer treatment for over 70 years. It is a highly effective treatment option for certain types of skin cancer, but it is not the only option. This blog post will compare MMS to other skin cancer treatments, including traditional surgery, radiation therapy, and topical medications.
What is Mohs micrographic surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a type of cancer surgery used to treat skin cancer. This surgery is unique in removing cancerous tissue one layer at a time. This allows the surgeon to see if the cancer has gone away entirely before moving on to the next layer.
Mohs surgery can be helpful for skin cancers that are large, aggressive, or have spread to surrounding tissues. This surgery provides treatment for cancers that have come back after previous treatment.
Mohs surgery is a very effective treatment for skin cancer, with a success rate of over 99%. This surgery can help to remove cancerous tissue while preserving healthy tissue. This makes it an excellent option for people who are concerned about their appearance or who have skin cancer in a visible area.
What are the advantages of Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery has several advantages over other skin cancer treatments, including:
- Mohs surgery is a highly effective treatment for skin cancer with a lower risk of scarring and fewer side effects.
- The surgery has a shorter procedure time and can be performed on an outpatient basis.
- There is no need for radiation therapy or chemotherapy following Mohs surgery.
- The chances of cancer returning are very low.
- The cosmetic result is often excellent as the surgeon can carefully remove cancer while preserving healthy tissue.
What other skin cancer treatments are available, and how do they compare?
Mohs surgery is a type of cancer treatment that removes the cancerous tissue layer by layer. This allows the surgeon to see the cancerous tissue and ensure that all of it is removed. Many different skin cancer treatments are available, but Mohs surgery tends to be the most effective.
Other skin cancer treatments include:
- Cryotherapy: Freezes the cancerous tissue.
- Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy waves to kill the cancer cells.
- Topical treatments: Applied to the skin.
Mohs surgery has long stood as the most effective skin cancer treatment because it has a high success rate and can be used to treat large areas of skin cancer. It is also less likely to cause scarring than other treatments.
Let’s help
Consider Mohs surgery if you or a loved one has skin cancer. With over 1,000 members, the American Society for Mohs Surgery (ASMS) is a dynamic medical society for dermatologists, pathologists, and Mohs technicians. You can reach us at 714-379-6262.
Posted in: MOHS Surgery
