Mohs skin cancer surgery was worth it: No scar answer to my skin cancer

francine
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Francine   Arizona  Dec 29, 2007  Cost: $1,000  Pain: Uncomfortable
Mohs skin cancer surgery provider: Not specified

during my visit to the dermatologist I pointed out a red spot on my nose that seemed to scab over easily, but never quite heal. The derm told me it was a squamous cell carcinoma, the kind caused by sun damage. While squamous cell cancer won't usually kill you, if left untreated it does spread, and it can create big ugly areas.

It could have eaten away my entire nose. I saw some photos of that. I decided it was best to have it removed when it was new and small.

I went to a skin cancer specialist in Moh's surgery. Moh's surgery is a subspecialty of dermatology, and not everyone does it. But I wanted it, because the alternative was to be disfigured.

My skin lesion was on my nose, so I didn't want somebody cutting a big piece off it. Mohs sounded like the perfect solution, because it's done with local anaesthesia, and the surgeon removes the skin layer by layer, or slice by slice, sending each slice to be biopsied while you are still in the office and numbed. You stay until a layer comes back clean. So they only take off exactly what's necessary to "get' the cancer. It's a cure about 98% of the time.

And then you are sent to a cosmetic surgeon. In my case, because this was on the bridge of my nose, they had to do a skin graft (they can't just sew up that area, because there's hardly any extra skin.). So they took some skin from my shoulder and grafted it on to my nose. They held it in place with a cotton ball that they sewed into the nose as well. Several days later, they removed the graft.

You can hardly tell it is there. There's no hole in my nose, and no real scar. This surgery is WORTH IT. I will look for some photos I took during the procedure, and if I find them, I'll post them.

Mohs skin cancer surgery reviews by RealSelf.com users

Avg cost $1,000
100% say Mohs skin cancer surgery was worth it
0% say Mohs skin cancer surgery was not worth it
Bob Neese
Bob Neese
5/10/08

Recently diagnosed with a couple of basal cell issues on my face of which one is fairly large. I am seeking a practicioner of MOHS and Cosmetic surgery. Can you help or recommend?
My thanks in advance.
Bob Neese

blondvoyage
blondvoyage
10/24/08

I had Mohs surgery three years ago for a tiny spot on my cheek. I had no idea the dermatologist was going to cut into the length of my face or I would have asked for a plastic surgeon to be involved. I have had two scar revision surgeries because my face was so badly sewn. Beware if you have ANY size of cancer spot on your face, the Mohs procedure tends to result in overexcising (cutting)so the Dr. is sure he got it all, so INSIST a plastic surgeon is involved from the beginning. Don't ever let anyone cut on your face who is not a board certified physician. Symmetry and sewing skills are critical.

Write a comment

(required, shown publicly)
(required, kept private)
  • Allowed HTML tags: <p> <br> <em> <strong> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <div>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • You may link to webpages through the weblinks registry

More information about formatting options

CAPTCHA
Enter the numbers in the image below (no spaces)
Image CAPTCHA

Comments for unregistered users are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Community Guidelines

  •     Cancel