Mohs Surgery: Q&A

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Do I Need MOHS Sugery?

One month ago had basal cell on cheek but close to nose removed, leaving maybe 8-10mm now healing scar, the tumor was maybe 4 mm. They cut it out and used heat to seal off, no stiches. Then I get biopsy report and someone hand wrote on it MOHS yet if you read it does not clearly say why, nothing about margins etc? My wife had one removed same day on back and the biospy reads exactly the same but no MOHS mentioned. Called doctor and person at front says due to margins but not stated on it.

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by treeguy in South Carolina

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (3)

Mohs surgery appropriate for facial skin cancers and particular anatomic locations

Mohs surgery is the right treatment for your skin cancer. The location of your tumor is mid face (mask area) and near your nose. Mohs surgery allows your skin cancer to be treated with precise margin control and the lowest rate of recurrence, all the while preserving normal healthy skin.

Ritu Saini, MD

5 reviews

New York Dermatologic Surgeon

www.nymedskin.com

Mohs surgery

MOHS is typically recommended for facial skin cancers. They can be equally effectively remove by an experienced plastic surgeon and reconstructed at the same time.

MOHS is ok

This is an anatomical area of concern for skin cancer. It can spread deeply along the sulcus between the nose and the cheek. MOHS will lead to a clear diagnosis and will get better outcome in cosmesis and margin safety. It is characterized by look all the margins during the surgery with total control of the tumor spread pattern.

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Mohs and BCC...

If I understand correctly, a biopsy was done on this area and Mohs surgery was recommended to you, but you were not given an explanation why? If that is correct, the region you had your basal cell occur is one where tissue is at a premium. In those cases, Mohs surgery is recommended to limit the amount of "normal" tissue that is taken and give you the best chance of cure. In most cases, the dermatologist can close these defects themselves, but if you are concerned with the appearance of the... more

High risk areas deserve Mohs

The location where your BCC was excised usually is one where a biopy confirms the diagnosis and Mohs is recommended. The risk is not that the cancer is more dangerous but is in an areas where margins can be difficult and there is greater risk of recurrence. Of course on the face were tissue is at a premium and closures can be more complicated the ACMS(American College of Mohs Surgery) recommends Mohs in order to achieve maximum cure, spare as much healthy tissue... more

Steven Swengel, MD

3 reviews

Los Gatos Dermatologic Surgeon

www.RefinedMD.com

To Mohs or not to Mohs

Mohs surgery is performed on areas where it is important to conserve tissue, such as the face/hands/feet/groin. It is a tissue sparing technique in which the surgeon can follow the tumor and make sure the margins are clear, reconstruction is done to the area usually on the same day. It sounds as though you had a biopsy, and your dermatologist wishes for you to have Mohs micrographic surgery and your wife to have an excison (the back not beeing a tissue sparing area). The best thing to do is... more

Mohs surgey is a method of skin cancer removal

It sounds like you had a cheek basal cell carcinoma biopsied, and there is a plan for definitive tumor removal with Mohs surgery. Its important that you follow up with the physician that did the biopsy, because this doctor needs to communicate the plan to you. Mohs surgery and subsequent reconstruction is an effective way to remove skin cancers from regions of the face where skin is a precious resource- the nose, cheek, eyelids etc. Mohs procedures typically are not necessary for... more

Do I need Mohs surgery

Mohs is recommended for specific areas where the smallest amount of skin should be removed and preserved, like the face, ears, nose, hands, and feet. Mohs isn't needed usually on the arms, legs, or torso because a larger excision can be done and just stitched up. I'm unsure if you mean you HAD Mohs done, or are now scheduled for Mohs and don't know why. If you have questions, call and ask to speak directly to the physician, or at least the nurse. I love my front office staff, but they don't... more

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Comments (3)

treeguy
9 months ago

Thanks for the comment but the tumor was 4 mm on the surface and the scar is 8-10 mm so that seems more than just a biopsy does it not? Would that not be a treament excision?

Megan P (Community Manager)
9 months ago

Hey treeguy,

I just wanted to let you know that as it is noted above, it is very unlikely the doctors will see the comments posted here, as this is a section for the community members to discuss the question. You are welcome to submit another question to the Q&A section though, if you are in need of more information. I hope all goes well for you.

treeguy
9 months ago

To clarify, The cancer was excised one month ago is now a new scar area 8-10 mm wide most off the nose a little on side. The lab report has no mention of margins at all and someone hand wrote MOHS on it. When we call thay say due to location and margin but my report does not mention margins! Excision cures about 90% so I need some reason to say I am in the bad 10% and not the 90% and my report does not clarify thyat.

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Mohs Surgery: Q&A

Do I Need MOHS Sugery?