Dermatology of Coastal Sarasota is pleased to offer Mohs Micrographic Surgery, also known as Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery, to our patients.
This technique, created by Frederic Mohs, M.D., is an advanced microscopically controlled surgery for skin cancer. It allows for the removal of a skin cancer with very narrow surgical margins, minimizing the sacrifice of tissue while offering a high cure rate.The Mohs procedure is used for:
- Recurrent skin cancers
- Invasive skin cancers
- High-risk facial scalp skin cancers
- Thin-skinned areas
- Large skin cancers
The Mohs procedure is performed by fellowship-trained surgeon Bradley Kovach, M.D. and Dr. Catherine Balestra
“The cure rate for Mohs surgery is the highest of all treatments for skin cancer – up to 99 percent, even if other forms of treatment have failed,” said board-certified dermatologist Heidi Anderson, M.D.” “This procedure is the most exact and precise method of tumor removal and minimizes the chance of regrowth.”
The Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery Process
Step 1:
The tumor site is locally infused with anesthesia to numb the tissue. General anesthesia is not required for Mohs micrographic surgery. Note that the roots of skin cancer may extend beyond the visible portion of the tumor. If these roots are not removed, the cancer will recur.
Step 2:
The visible portion of the tumor is surgically removed.
Step 3:
A layer of skin is removed and divided into sections. The American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) surgeon then color codes each of these sections with dyes and makes reference marks on the skin to show the source of these sections. A map of the surgical site is then drawn.
Step 4:
The undersurface edges of each section are microscopically examined for evidence of remaining cancer.
Step 5:
If cancer cells are found under the microscope, the ACMS surgeon marks their location on the “map” and returns to the patient to remove another layer of skin – but only from precisely where the cancer cells remain.
Surgical Instructions
(please click to download pdf files)
Mohs Surgery:
Skin Cancer Surgery:
Call us today at 941-925-3627 to schedule a consultation!