Having a Mohs-Certified Skin Cancer Surgeon: Why it Matters

Skin cancer is a terrible disease to have, and getting it treated as quickly as possible is important for increasing the patient’s odds of survival.

Despite a wide variety of treatment options, the Mohs procedure has withstood the test of time as one of the most effective ways of treating different types of skin cancer, especially basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

What is the Mohs Procedure?

This is a unique cancer-removing surgery because it’s a micrographic surgery, requiring finite techniques to remove dangerous tissues while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

The surgeon removes small amounts of tissue, taking each layer to have examined under the microscope for cancerous cells.

The removal of each layer is continued until the surgeon comes across healthy tissue and knows that all of the cancerous tissues have been removed.

The procedure is so popular because it truly gets rid of a lot of guesswork, and patients can be confident that the cancer is gone.

Removing as little tissue as possible also decreases any serious scarring, especially if the patient is having the procedure done on their face or other visible parts of the body.

Doesn’t Every Doctor Know How to Perform a Mohs Procedure?

Unfortunately, not every doctor can do this surgery, and that’s mostly because it requires so much time to learn how to do it correctly. It’s hardly a simple procedure, and the doctor has very exact skills to remove only the dangerous tissue and leave behind healthy tissue.

Doctors trained in the Mohs procedure completed medical school and went on to do a residency in dermatology. Only after their residency can a doctor apply for a Mohs fellowship program.

These programs admit highly-skilled doctors, and the doctors undergo a rigorous one to two-year program.

Before they’re considered fully trained, these surgeons must complete many Mohs procedures, prove to be highly efficient at correctly reading tissue samples removed during the surgery and show proficiency in a range of surgical reconstructions.

In order to prolong your life and maintain your appearance, a Mohs-trained surgeon can help alleviate your fears of massive scarring and ensure you have a long, healthy future ahead of you.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

With locations in Elmhurst, Flushing, Englewood and the Bronx, Metro Dermatology has Mohs-certified specialists available for patients seeking out this effective procedure.

We know how important this procedure can be in saving people’s lives. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more information.