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MOHS Surgery - Another Advanced Technology

In the backdrop of widening technological advances, science is regaining its importance. Mohs surgery scientifically referred to as Mohs Micrographic Surgical procedure was introduced by Dr. Federik E. Mohs in 1930’s. It is a microscopically controlled surgery that throws a sheer combination of technology and medical sciences to treat for common skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Due to the factor of controlled microscopically, it tends to have the high cure rate of about 99% in cutting the cancer out of the skin.

Mohs surgery proves out to be pioneer than other treatments of skin cancer. The procedures involved rest on the type and depth of the skin tumors. Some tumors do not respond to general treatments. But, before going for mohs surgery one must make assure if he is the right candidate for the treatment.

Some specific indications must be studied so as to confirm about the necessity of the surgery. The cancer always grows at faster rate with unambiguous edges. It’s uncontrollable and hence grows large. Moreover, it happens to in healthy tissues like eyelids, nose and lips and leaves a scar tissue. A skin infection must never be confused by skin cancer.

Once a candidate gets assured of getting a surgery, the first question that comes up is the doctor to be operated through. The specialists for mohs surgery are mohs surgeons. A mohs surgeon must be sensitive towards different types and tones of tumor. He must have intensive practice in surgical removal of cancer, microscopic study along with the reconstructive surgery of the skin.

He must provide comprehensive management of cutaneous oncology and serve as a Medicare specialist. Deciding upon the surgeon, patient must consult to him and get the required information.

The procedure for the surgery includes a specific route of steps, which include surgical and pathological minutes. Mohs surgeon seeks for the evidence of extended roots of cancer from the disposed tissue. Once the examining is complete, the affected piece of skin or the tumor is removed. After tumor removal, the signs of extended tumor are removed so as to stop the further extension. A microscope and a map of surgical site are the two inevitable tools used to trace the extended tumor.

Well, once the tumor is removed a thin layer of tissue between 5-10 micrometers using a cryostat is removed. It is stained with H&E and put on microscopic slide to be examined. After the slide is interpreted, there comes the procedure for the reconstructive surgery. It includes the reconstruction of the damages made during the surgery. The specimen of the removed tissue is studied well so as to trace out the route of extended cancer. After a tissue gets a clean chit, the removal of cancer is assured.

Mohs surgery is a complicated and sensitive procedure, which requires well equipped and hygienically through centers. With the worldwide acceptance of the treatment, there are millions of centers open worldwide. Presence of thousands of mohs surgery centers in US itself, proves it all.