Achieve highly effective skin cancer removal with Mohs surgery at Paradise Dermatology. This precise, tissue-sparing procedure targets basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other complex skin cancers. Mohs micrographic surgery in Sarasota ensures minimal scarring and a high cure rate, ensuring excellent outcomes for our Sarasota patients.
Remove Skin Cancer While Preserving Healthy Tissue
Mohs micrographic surgery is an advanced, highly precise skin cancer removal technique used to treat specific types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. During this procedure, thin layers of cancerous skin are removed and examined under a microscope in real-time, allowing dermatologists to identify and remove only affected tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. This meticulous, layer-by-layer approach ensures a high cure rate, reduces scarring, and is especially beneficial for treating cancers in sensitive areas like the face, neck, and hands. Our clinic specializes in expertly performed Mohs surgery.
Mohs Surgery Treats:
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma
- Recurrent skin cancers
- Skin cancers on cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas (e.g., face, neck, hands)
- Aggressive or large skin cancers
What Happens During
Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Sarasota?
At our Mohs surgery clinic in Sarasota, the procedure begins with a local anesthetic injection to numb the treatment area. Once the anesthesia takes effect, your dermatologist carefully removes the visible cancerous tissue and a thin layer of surrounding skin, which is immediately processed and examined under a microscope. Each removed layer is mapped and sectioned, with the margins marked to identify any remaining cancerous cells’ exact locations.
This initial examination generally takes 30-60 minutes. If cancer cells are still detected at the margins, only the affected areas are targeted, and another layer is removed from that specific location. This process is repeated meticulously, with each subsequent layer evaluated and mapped in real time until no cancer cells are found. Mohs micrographic surgery can take between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the cancer’s size and complexity.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch For:
- New, unusual growths or bumps on the skin
- Sores that don’t heal or repeatedly reopen
- Red or irritated patches that may itch or burn
- Shiny, pearly bumps with visible blood vessels
- Flat, scaly, or crusted lesions that persist
- Irregular or jagged moles with changing shape, color, or size
- Pink growths with a slightly raised border and central indentation
- Waxy, scar-like lesions without prior injury
- Raised, firm bumps that may bleed or develop a crust
- Moles or spots that appear darker than others and continue to darken
If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, it’s important to schedule a skin evaluation with a dermatologist at Paradise Dermatology as soon as possible. Your dermatologist can perform a thorough skin exam and, if needed, a biopsy to determine if the lesion is cancerous or benign. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes, especially for skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Benefits of Mohs Surgery:
- Highest cure rate for many skin cancers, up to 99%
- Precision targeting of cancerous tissue while preserving healthy skin
- Minimal scarring and maximum cosmetic preservation
- Ideal for skin cancers on sensitive or visible areas, like the face and neck
- Reduced likelihood of cancer recurrence
- Immediate results with real-time microscopic examination
Mohs Surgery FAQs
How Long Does Mohs Surgery Take?
Mohs micrographic surgery in Sarasota can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, though it varies depending on the size and complexity of the skin cancer. The procedure involves multiple stages, with each layer removed and examined under a microscope before continuing. While the process can be lengthy, this tissue-sparing cancer removal surgery is worth the time.
Will I Have a Scar After Mohs Surgery?
While Mohs surgery aims to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible, some scarring is inevitable. However, because Mohs removes only cancerous tissue, the scars tend to be smaller than other excisional methods. Your dermatologist will also take steps to ensure optimal healing and minimal scarring, especially for cancers in visible areas. In some cases, additional cosmetic procedures, such as laser therapy, can be considered to improve scar appearance.
What Can I Expect After Mohs Surgery?
After Mohs surgery, you’ll have a bandage over the treatment area and may experience mild swelling, redness, or tenderness, which should subside within a few days. Your dermatologist will provide specific aftercare instructions, including cleaning and dressing the wound to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing. Stitches may be needed, depending on the depth and size of the area treated. Follow-ups are essential to ensure proper healing.
How Soon Can I Return to Normal Activities?
Most people can return to light activities the day after Mohs surgery, but it’s essential to avoid strenuous activities or anything that could strain the wound area for at least one to two weeks, depending on the location of the treatment area. Your dermatologist will provide guidance based on your case so you can resume your daily routine without compromising the healing process.
How Effective is Mohs Surgery at Preventing Recurrence?
Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate of any skin cancer removal surgery, up to 99% for certain types of basal and squamous cell carcinomas. By precisely removing only cancerous cells and examining each layer in real-time, this technique minimizes the likelihood of recurrence. Mohs is especially effective for cancers that have returned after previous treatment, making it the preferred choice for high-risk or complex cases.
Is Mohs Surgery Painful?
At our Mohs surgery clinic in Sarasota, most patients find Mohs surgery to be very manageable in terms of discomfort. A local anesthetic is applied to numb the area before the procedure begins, ensuring you don’t feel pain during the surgery. After the procedure, some mild discomfort or tenderness may occur, but this can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Your dermatologist will discuss post-operative care to help manage any soreness.
Schedule a Consultation at our Mohs Surgery Clinic in Sarasota
Paradise Dermatology is dedicated to treating skin cancer effectively while preserving the natural aesthetics of your skin through Mohs skin cancer surgery. This advanced technique allows our expert dermatologists to remove cancerous tissue layer by layer, ensuring maximum precision and minimal impact on surrounding healthy skin. If you’re in Sarasota or surrounding areas, schedule a consultation with Paradise Dermatology to learn more about Mohs surgery.
