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Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Receiving a diagnosis of skin cancer can be a scary moment for anyone. Patients in the Walnut Creek, CA area who have been told that they require treatment may be worried about picking the right option for their specific needs. When patients have been diagnosed with skin cancer, they may have the option of considering a special treatment known as Mohs micrographic surgery.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Walnut Creek

What is Mohs micrographic surgery?

Areas of skin cancer are not always just on the surface of the skin. Sometimes, these cancerous cells can be seen deep within the area. Because of this, some types of excision for skin cancer are not as effective as others. Skin cancer cells can be left behind to only cause a reoccurrence of skin cancer later. To effectively address some types of skin cancer, procedures such as Mohs micrographic surgery may need to be performed.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized treatment for cancer. It is best used on areas where aesthetics is a concern, or for cancers that may have deep roots within the skin. This treatment is a form of excision, but it is done in a more precise way. Mohs micrographic surgery targets the exact area of cancer on the skin. Dr. M. Christine Lee will remove thin layers of the skin one at a time. Each layer is evaluated under a microscope to look for cancerous cells. The cuts become smaller and smaller until no more cancer is detected. At this point, the skin is sutured, and the process of healing occurs.

Benefits of Mohs micrographic surgery

There are several advantages to undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery when skin cancer has been diagnosed. This procedure is:

  • Effective
  • Safe
  • Thorough
  • Reliable

Who is a candidate for Mohs micrographic surgery?

Not every type of skin cancer will benefit from this procedure. Because of the cost and the experience needed to perform this procedure, it is often reserved for patients who have a) recurring cancer or b) skin cancer on the face. This is because it leaves behind smaller scarring than traditional excision techniques. To determine candidacy for this surgery, Dr. M. Christine Lee recommends that patients visit the practice for an initial diagnosis and evaluation, and then discuss their options.

What other treatment options are available?

When patients receive their diagnosis of skin cancer, their dermatologist will discuss the ways in which the areas can be treated. Because skin cancer is extremely easy to diagnose due to its visibility, the best way to remove it is through excision. This may be done through traditional removal or with Mohs micrographic surgery. Patients may also want to receive a referral to an oncologist and discuss other possible treatment options that are not as physically invasive, such as radiology or chemotherapy. However, most patients will find that removal of the skin cancer cells from the body is the fastest, easiest, and most reliable method of treatment.

What should I do after my skin cancer has been treated?

After patients have received the “all clear” that skin cancer has been effectively treated and removed, it is important that they monitor the rest of their skin for any changes that may indicate cancer developing elsewhere. Skin cancer is easy to diagnose because it can be seen, so annual skin cancer screenings with Dr. M. Christine Lee at The Skin and Laser Treatment Institute are highly recommended – even for patients who have never received a diagnosis of skin cancer in the past. Changes in moles, wounds, and scars may indicate cancer is present.

Call The Skin and Laser Treatment Institute today!

Dr. M. Christine Lee and her staff in Walnut Creek, CA are dedicated to helping patients who have been diagnosed with skin cancer find effective treatment options. If you are interested in finding out more about the advantages of Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer, we welcome you to book an appointment at our practice located in Suite 125 at 370 N. Wiget Lane. The practice can be reached at (925) 528-0117.

Dr. Christine Lee

Dr. Min-Wei Christine Lee

Dr. Christine Lee is a Board-certified Dermatologist with sub-specialties in laser surgery, cosmetic surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, facial plastic reconstruction, and dermatologic surgery. She leads The Skin And Laser Treatment Institute as its Director and serves as Clinical Faculty for the Department of Dermatologic Surgery at the University of California San Francisco. Patients travel from across the globe for her expertise, and Dr. Lee has trained thousands of stateside and international doctors.

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