What Is MOHS Surgery?
Mohs surgery was named after its developer Frederic Mohs. He developed this surgery to help diagnose and treat skin cancer. Mohs surgery is still used today in procedures in which skin cancer is detected to remove the cancerous cells and to treat this condition accordingly. Read on for more information about Mohs surgery and how you can prevent skin cancer in the first place.
How Is Mohs Surgery Performed?
Mohs surgery is a procedure in which thin layers of skin cells are removed with a scalpel and then tested for cancerous cells. Another thin layer of the skin is removed and tested again. This can happen over and over again until there are no cancerous cells detected. This procedure is usually performed in the office and under a local anesthetic. There are only so many layers of skin that can be removed, since digging too deep into the skin may require a different type of surgical procedure, or it may require skin grafts if too much of the skin needs to be removed. If there are still cancerous cells present, radiation or chemotherapy may be necessary in order to kill the cancerous cells in the body. Skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body if it goes untreated, including to the major organs in the body.
How Can You Prevent Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer can be prevented by protecting your skin when out in the sun. You should be wearing sunscreen when out in the sun, and not just in the summer months, but in the winter months as well. Be sure to cover your skin as much as possible when in the sun, wearing loose-fitting clothing to keep you cool when in the sun. Wear a hat and sunglasses that protect against UV-A and UV-B rays when in the sun as well. Protect your skin as much as you can when outside in the sun to prevent sunburn and other skin damage caused by the sun's harmful rays.
If you have any spots on the body that are new or that you are questioning, you should consult a dermatologist. If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, Mohs surgery may be necessary in order to get rid of the cancerous cells in the body to prevent the cancer from spreading further into the body.
For more information about skin cancer treatment or prevention, contact a local dermatologist.