Dermatologist in Colorado Springs, CO.

Skin cancer can affect anyone and is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the United States. When caught early, most skin cancers can be successfully treated and stopped from spreading. Some highly effective methods for treating skin cancer include Mohs surgery and traditional excision. The board-certified dermatologists at Skin Cancer & Dermatology Center in Pueblo, Trinidad, and Colorado Springs, CO, utilize Mohs surgery, traditional excision, and other methods in the treatment of skin cancer.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery involves mapping the treatment area and using micrographic techniques to remove and examine thin layers of skin tissue in multiple stages. Each layer of tissue that is removed is examined under a microscope before additional tissue is excised. If cancer cells are present in the sample, another thin layer of tissue is removed. This process is repeated until no cancer cells are detected under the microscope anymore.

Mohs surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia so patients remain awake throughout. Depending on how many layers of tissue need to be removed, the procedure could take a few hours to complete. Afterward, the treatment area is closed using sutures, a skin graft, or a flap. Since Mohs surgery is outpatient, patients can go home after the procedure.

Mohs Surgery vs. Traditional Excision

Several options are available for treating the various types of skin cancer. Two specific methods used by the skilled dermatologists and surgeons at our office in Pueblo, Trinidad, and Colorado Springs, CO, include Mohs surgery and traditional excision. Both are excellent treatment options. Your dermatologist can help you weigh the pros and cons of each method to determine which one is best for treating your type of skin cancer.

Traditional Excision: This method involves cutting out a tumor and the surrounding skin all at once to ensure all cancer cells have been removed. Some advantages of traditional excision are that the procedure can be performed quickly and can be used to treat all types of skin cancer. Additionally, traditional excision can be done as an outpatient procedure so no hospital stay is needed. Drawbacks include some healthy skin tissue being removed and there could be more scarring than with other methods.

Mohs Surgery: Since Mohs surgery utilizes an advanced micrographic technique, more healthy skin tissue is spared and there is minimal scarring. This makes Mohs surgery idea for treating facial skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, when preserving aesthetics is important. One drawback to Mohs surgery is that it can take longer to perform than traditional excision. Additionally, the micrographic technique is not indicated for all types of skin cancer.

Contact Us Today

We diagnose and treat all types of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Schedule an appointment with one of our surgical dermatologists to learn more about treatment methods such as Mohs surgery by calling Skin Cancer & Dermatology Center in Colorado Springs, CO, at (719) 564-0310. We also have locations in Pueblo, (719) 564-5544, and Trinidad, (800) 290-2478.