Gotta Go to Mohs

Beginning in the 1930s Dr. Frederic Mohs of the University of Wisconsin developed a surgical technique that now bears his name.  Mohs micrographic surgery is most often used to treat skin cancer.  The technique involves removing the skin cancer and a very narrow margin of tissue surrounding the tumor.  The surrounding tissue is immediately examined under a microscope to make sure all the cancerous roots have been removed.  If cancerous roots are found the surgeon removes another layer of skin, but only in the location of the cancer cells.

The Mohs technique is the most effective means of treating skin cancers, especially basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, with up to a 99% cure rate at five years after surgery.  The potential for scarring and damage to healthy cells is minimized using the Mohs technique.

Surgery is performed with a local anesthetic and can last anywhere from a couple of hours to all day. The surgery time depends on how many layers of skin the surgeon has to remove.  It takes an hour or two to prepare and examine the tissue samples.  Patients are encouraged to bring a lunch, reading material and a personal stereo to keep them occupied.

A pressure bandage remains in place for a day or two after surgery.  Stitches are removed one or two weeks after surgery.  Patients are back to their normal routines within a couple of weeks of surgery.  It typically takes six to twelve months for surgical wounds to heal completely.  All efforts are made to hide the incision lines with natural lines of the face.

I have basal cell carcinoma on my left temple and on top of my head.  Basal cell carcinomas are benign but need to be removed.  Both are repeat occurrences, so Mohs surgery is the preferred treatment option.  I'll have my temple treated tomorrow (assuming I'm not derailed by what seems to be an ear infection).  After it has healed somewhat we will set a date for the scalp surgery.  That surgery, I'm told, will reduce, if not eliminate, my bald spot!

I'll be taking it easy the next few days.  Don't expect many posts unless I get really bored sitting at home.

More about skin cancer and Mohs surgery:

Stanford Cancer Center Causes of Skin Cancer
National Institutes of Health What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
American Society for Mohs Surgery
About Mohs Micrographic Surgery from the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology.
Introduction for Mohs Micrographic Surgery Lesson "how to" from the Loyola University Chicago Medical School.
Mohs Surgery from eMedicine.com with pictures!

Comments

[Marie]

Oh my god! This brought tears to my eyes. Best of luck to you tomorrow. If there's one thing I remember from growing up, it was my mother spending her summers tanning her arms and legs (she never wore a two-piece because of a scar). This past summer, at the age of 78, she had the Mohs surgery on her left leg at SIU School of Med in Springfield. I had never heard of it before then. It's exactly as you describe it. When I started reading your entry today, I thought, "oh, Joe's educating us in surgical technique for some odd reason." I had no idea this would end up being about you. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

[tien]

good luck on your procedure.

[joe]

Thanks! How's your mother doing, Marie? I'm pretty good about avoiding the sun now, but I would often get sunburnt as a kid.

[Marie]

She's doing really good. They got it all and her doctor is confident it won't come back.

[karrie]

Wishing you health, healing, and happiness!

[joe]

Stitches come out tomorrow!