No one wants a skin cancer diagnosis, but the good news is cutting-edge treatments are available. One example is Mohs surgery, which is not only the most effective but also results in the least amount of damage to the surrounding skin.
At Plateroti Dermatology located in Templeton, California, Dr. Carmelo Plateroti and our highly skilled team treat a wide variety of dermatologic and aesthetic concerns. Whether you have skin cancer and need a procedure such as Mohs surgery or are looking to freshen up your appearance, we can help. With our 30 years of collective experience and a state-of-the-art approach that employs both Western medicine and holistic practices, we provide proven results.
Skin cancer will strike one in five people by the time they are 70 years old. There are multiple types, which are defined by the location where the cancer begins to grow. The most common is basal cell carcinoma followed by squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is the most deadly.
Mohs surgery is often used to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma and some types of melanoma. It frequently involves multiple rounds of the removal of thin layers of skin to ensure the area is cancer-free. This method allows the preservation of as much healthy tissue as possible.
The procedure is conducted in stages on the same day. We’ll administer a local anesthetic to numb the area, and we’ll remove a thin layer of skin. The doctor carefully notes its location.
This tissue is examined under a microscope while the patient waits. If cancer cells are still detected, the doctor takes off another layer and again examines it. This process is repeated until no cancer cells are found.
Once all signs of cancer have been removed, the size, location, and depth of the wound will dictate what comes next. Some surgical sites are left open to heal while others are closed with stitches or reconstructed with a skin flap or graft.
Mohs surgery has a number of benefits. The procedure is highly successful with up to 99% of skin cancer being cured when it's the first instance and up to 94% for a recurrence.
The fact the skin is examined at each step ensures no cancer has been missed. The procedure also means the least scarring possible since only the amount of skin necessary and no more is removed.
Finally, the fact that the procedure is completed on the same day means fewer doctor appointments and time saved.
Whether you have a suspicious blemish or mole that you want to get checked out or have already been diagnosed with skin cancer, click our request button, or call us at 805-434-2526 today to make an appointment for a proper diagnosis and determination if Mohs surgery might be right for you.
