Many women and men are understandably concerned about discomfort before undergoing skin cancer treatment.
So, it’s not surprising that, when preparing for their procedure, most patients want to know: Is Mohs surgery painful?
Continue reading to find out the answer to this question and learn how Mohs surgery is performed.
What Is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery is a highly effective skin cancer treatment with a cure rate that’s greater than 98 percent. In fact, it’s considered the gold standard for treating two of the most common forms of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
The outpatient procedure usually takes about four hours and requires little to no downtime. It involves excising the visible portion of the tumor and a thin layer of surrounding tissue and then analyzing it under a microscope. This process is repeated until all cancer has been eliminated.
Because Mohs removes a layer of tissue at a time, it preserves the greatest amount of healthy tissue, which is extremely important when dealing with sensitive or prominent areas on the face.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery is an excellent option for patients with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma that is likely to come back or has already returned since their last treatment.
In addition, many women and men undergo Mohs when their cancer is located on a sensitive or prominent part of the body, as the procedure is designed to keep as much healthy tissue as possible.
You may also wish to talk to your dermatologist about Mohs surgery if your tumor is especially big, fast-growing, or has uneven edges.
Is Mohs Surgery Painful?
Prior to undergoing treatment, most patients want to know: Is Mohs surgery painful?
Mohs surgery is an extremely delicate and precise procedure that is performed under local anesthesia.
As such, the treatment area is completely numbed before any tissue is removed, and you shouldn’t feel much of anything for the duration of treatment.
Learn More About Mohs Surgery
If you are interested in Mohs Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, please call our office today to schedule a comprehensive consultation with board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon Dr. Johnathan L. Chappell.
