A step-by-step guide to the precise process of Mohs surgery in Washington, DC

More than 1,500 physicians are fellowship-trained in the Mohs micrographic surgical technique, according to the American College of Mohs Surgery. Two dermatologists at Braun Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center are trained in this very precise approach to treating certain skin cancers, including those in prominent, visible areas such as the face.

The process of Mohs surgery in Washington, DC

Developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic Mohs, this surgical technique preserves healthy skin surrounding the tumor, which minimizes scarring. The technique is both conservative and effective. In fact, Mohs micrographic surgery has the highest cure rate when compared to other skin cancer treatments.

If Mohs surgery is appropriate for you, at Braun Dermatology, we encourage you to set aside an entire day for the procedure.

Here, a step-by-step look at what patients should expect on the day of their procedure:

• Local anesthesia is administered to numb the treatment site for comfort.
• The visible part of the tumor is removed.
• A narrow margin of healthy-looking skin is removed around the tumor.
• The treated area is bandaged.
• The removed tissue is examined under a microscope at our onsite lab.
• If cancerous cells are detected, they are mapped, and another layer of skin is removed from the precise location where the cancer was seen with the aid of the microscope.
• The above process of removing and evaluating the remaining tumor and narrow margin of the surrounding skin is repeated until no cancer cells are detected microscopically.
• Depending on the size and location of the treated site, the wound may be left to heal on its own or closed with sutures.

A chance to cut is a chance to cure. Yet, standard excision generally requires that a wider margin of normal-looking skin be removed along with the visible tumor. Standard excisional surgery thus may present challenges to wound repair and associated risks of scarring. With the precise approach that Mohs surgeons take to removing cancers, these risks are minimized. In addition to being an excellent treatment for facial skin cancers,  Mohs micrographic surgery may be appropriate for non-melanoma skin cancers that have returned, or those that have more complex characteristics, such as tumors that lack clearly defined borders or are large in size.

Every patient is unique. Braun Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center will evaluate the factors mentioned here, as well as other characteristics, to determine the best treatment for you. Call 202-816-7557 to schedule an appointment at the Washington, DC office or call 571-449-2555 to schedule an appointment at our Alexandria, VA location.