had a bcc removed using Moes last year. I have a confirmed bcc on my arm and the Dr states that my insurance wont pay for the Moes for this type and need it excised. What is the difference and is one better than the other?
June 19, 2016
Answer: Mohs vs Traditional Excision Great question. The main difference between mohs surgery is the margin of normal tissue taken. Traditional excision involves taking a 0.5 cm to 1 cm margin (depending on the location and pathology). Then examining the pathology margins, often in a delayed fashion. Mohs surgery takes a minimal amount of tissue from around the lesion and is then examined instantaneously by a special pathology process to see where there is residual tumor. It is then excised, and the process repeated until there is no more tumor. Mohs minimizes the amount of normal tissue taken and is generally used in tissue-sensitive areas such as the face, ears, nose, eyelids, scalp. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to insist on traditional excision on the extremities and torso because there is generally enough skin to close the larger excision. If scarring is a significant concern, there are other possible treatments for basal cell cancers that you should discuss with an expert.Best of luck.
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June 19, 2016
Answer: Mohs vs Traditional Excision Great question. The main difference between mohs surgery is the margin of normal tissue taken. Traditional excision involves taking a 0.5 cm to 1 cm margin (depending on the location and pathology). Then examining the pathology margins, often in a delayed fashion. Mohs surgery takes a minimal amount of tissue from around the lesion and is then examined instantaneously by a special pathology process to see where there is residual tumor. It is then excised, and the process repeated until there is no more tumor. Mohs minimizes the amount of normal tissue taken and is generally used in tissue-sensitive areas such as the face, ears, nose, eyelids, scalp. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to insist on traditional excision on the extremities and torso because there is generally enough skin to close the larger excision. If scarring is a significant concern, there are other possible treatments for basal cell cancers that you should discuss with an expert.Best of luck.
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