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Mohs Micrographic Surgery is an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer that offers the highest potential rate of cure—as high as 99%* even if the cancer has been previously treated. Drs. David Goldberg, Snehal Amin and Alexander Berlin have been specially trained in Mohs surgery, a state-of-the-art treatment in which he can precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, leaving healthy tissue intact. Mohs surgery is most effective in treating two of the most common types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
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During Mohs Micrographic surgery, your physician will first remove visible tumor tissue. He will then remove a thin layer of skin under the tumor, divide it into sections and color code each section, marking reference points for each section at the tumor site. This thin layer of tissue is examined under a microscope. If there are any visible cancer cells in the thin layer, your physician will determine their location by the color code and will remove an additional layer of skin from the tumor site and, again, examine it under the microscope. This procedure will continue until there are no cancer cells visible.
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Most patients can expect their Mohs surgery to be completed within several hours, although the procedure may take longer if the roots of the cancer have penetrated many layers of skin.
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*every case of skin cancer is unique and cure rates will vary.
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| Is Mohs Surgery Right For Me? |
Mohs is especially effective for tumors on the head and neck, especially around the eyes, ears, lips and nose. It has also been proven successful in the treatment of large and ill-defined tumors, regardless of location, and aggressive and recurring tumors. During your initial consultation, your physician will determine if Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the best treatment option for your skin cancer.
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Will I Need To Go To The Hospital For Mohs Surgery? |
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Probably not. Whenever possible, the surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, but occasionally we require that the patient stay in the hospital. We will inform you if we feel it would be best for you to be hospitalized.
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Will I Have General Anesthesia During The Surgery? |
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Mohs surgery is usually performed with local anesthesia.
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What Do I Do While The Doctor Is Examining The Tissue? |
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The wound is dressed. You can read a book and be accompanied by a family member.
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How Long Does The Surgery Take? |
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Each step (or stage) of the surgical procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes. After each surgical stage, it usually takes at least an hour for the slides to be prepared for microscopic examination. Several stages and examinations may be required.
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Will The Surgery Leave A Scar? |
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Yes, however the Mohs procedure tends to result in minimal scarring. Dr. Goldberg will examine your wound after it has had time to heal and, if necessary, will schedule reconstructive surgery in the area.
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Once My Wound Is Healed, How Often Do I Need To Be Checked? |
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At least once a year. This ensures that if the skin cancer recurs, Dr. Goldberg can detect it and schedule treatment.
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Will My Insurance Cover Mohs Surgery? |
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Some health insurance policies cover the total cost of Mohs surgery. Most cover at least part of it. Each policy is different. Please check with our practice administrator if you have any questions regarding costs and insurance forms.
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How Do I Get Started? |
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Dr. Goldberg and his staff
will be happy to discuss this procedure with you. Please feel
free to call for a private consultation or Schedule
an appointment online @ one of our offices. |
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