Submitted by Doug Leone, MD, Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Institute
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and it is increasing significantly, to the point where many people have declared the increase an epidemic. In fact, your chance of developing a nonmelanoma skin cancer is about one in five! Exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun and tanning beds is the most significant cause for all skin cancers, which are more common in fair-skinned people over 50 who have spent a lot of time in the sun.
While melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, it is far less common than basal cell and squamous cell, which usually form on the sun exposed parts of the body like the face, neck, head, and ears. Basal cell carcinomas are rarely fatal. Squamous cell carcinomas are more frequently fatal than basal cell carcinomas, but are less dangerous than melanomas. However, both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas can be very destructive and are potentially more disfiguring if not caught and treated early, especially since they can invade the skin rather deeply.|
Mohs’ micrographic surgery (MMS) is an advanced surgical technique to treat certain skin cancers. With this type of surgery, individual layers of cancer tissue are removed and examined under a microscope, one at a time, during the surgery – not after the surgery — until all cancer tissue has been removed. This means that the surgeon does not need to “guess” at how far out or how deep the roots of the cancer go, thereby removing as little healthy tissue as possible while still ensuring that all the cancer has been removed. This is important because it minimizes the size of the defect, allowing for less complex and more successful aesthetic reconstruction.
For many skin cancers, there are other procedures, such as excision, that can be used. However, Mohs surgery may be preferred when…
- It is important to remove as little tissue as possible, such as on the face, eyelids, nose, ears, lips, or hands.
- There is a scar or prior radiation treatment was used.
- There is a higher chance the tumor will come back.
- The skin cancer was already treated, and it was not completely removed or it came back.
- The skin cancer is large, or the edges of the skin cancer are not clear.
- Your immune system is not working well due to cancer, cancer treatments, or medicines you are taking.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “Mohs surgery has come to be accepted as the single most effective technique for removing basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the two most common skin cancers. It accomplishes the nifty trick of sparing the greatest amount of healthy tissue while also most completely expunging cancer cells; cure rates for BCC and SCC are an unparalleled 98 percent or higher with Mohs, significantly better than the rates for standard excision or any other accepted method.”
Even though skin cancer is very treatable when found early, take proper precautions now so that you never develop skin cancer in the first place. It’s crucial to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun — even in winter. Any change in the appearance of the skin, including moles, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a patch of skin that changes color should be checked out immediately by a dermatologist.
For more information, you may contact the Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Institute at 309-451-DERM (3376) or www.dermatologistbloomington.com. Dr. Leone and Dr. Schupbach, both residents of Bloomington, are board-certified dermatologists, specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology, including the treatment of skin cancer, moles, acne, rashes, warts, and all skin disorders. Dr. Leone is one of the few Mohs trained surgeons in the area. Their office is located at 3024 E. Empire St. 2nd floor (in the Advocate BroMenn outpatient center).