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Preventing skin cancer is becoming a bigger issue in today’s world.  Worries about the depleting Ozone layer in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and the resulting increase in Ultraviolet (UV) exposure has made skin protection an even higher priority for people than ever before.  

But what happens when you already have skin cancer?  There needs to be more information provided about skin cancer treatments such as Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized, highly effective and most advanced technique for the removal of skin cancer.  Mohs surgery differs from other skin cancer treatments in that it permits the immediate and complete microscopic examination of the removed cancerous tissue, so that all roots and extensions of the skin cancer can be eliminated.  Due to the methodical manner in which tissue is removed and examined, Mohs surgery has been recognized as the skin cancer  treatment with the highest reported cure rate.

Mohs micrographic surgery has been shown to be a highly effective treatment for certain types of skin cancer, with a cure rate of up to 99 percent for certain tumors. Due to the fact that the Mohs micrographic surgery procedure is micrographically controlled, it provides the most precise method for removal of the cancerous tissue, while sparing the greatest amount of healthy tissue.  For this reason, Mohs micrographic surgery may result in a significantly smaller surgical defect and less noticeable scarring, as compared to other methods of skin cancer treatment.  The Mohs micrographic surgery procedure is recommended for skin cancer removal in anatomic areas where maximum preservation of healthy tissue is desirable for cosmetic and functional purposes.  It may also be indicated for lesions that have recurred following prior treatment or for lesions which have the greatest likelihood of recurrence.

Most insurance policies cover the costs of Mohs micrographic surgery and the reconstruction of the resultant surgical area. You should contact your insurance carrier directly for the most current payment information relative to this surgery.

As with all forms of surgery, a scar will remain after the skin cancer is removed and the surgical area has completely healed. Mohs micrographic surgery, however, will leave one of the smallest possible surgical defects and resultant scars.

Often, wounds allowed to heal on their own result in scars that are barely noticeable. Even following extensive surgery, results are frequently quite acceptable. In addition, scars do have the ability, through the body’s own natural healing properties, to remodel and improve in appearance for a six to twelve month period. There are also many other techniques available to the patient for enhancement of the surgical area following skin cancer surgery. Depressed or indented scars may be elevated and raised scars can be smoothed using laser resurfacing or chemical peeling techniques. This surgery may only be performed by a Board Certified Dermatologist.

For more information about skin cancer or Mohs micrographic surgery, please call Dr. Bernard Raskin at 661-254-8636 or visit our website at www.MohsSurgeryCenter.org .

Santa Clarita Magazine

Santa Clarita Magazine