Skin Cancer Channel
Welcome to the "Skin Cancer Channel," a podcast dedicated to patient safety and empowerment for those dealing with skin cancer. Our mission is to provide patients with clear, trustworthy information to help them navigate their treatment options. We dive into how to identify the best and most reliable places for skin cancer care, how to evaluate quality treatment options, and what qualifications you should look for in a physician.
Skin Cancer Channel
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Welcome to this tutorial about the most effective treatment for skin cancer: Mohs Surgery. This video and podcast are brought to you by Cary Skin Center, the only fully accredited Center for Excellence for Mohs Surgery in North Carolina.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Mohs micrographic surgery is the gold standard for treating Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), especially in cosmetically sensitive areas or for recurrent tumors. This procedure offers unmatched precision, combining the highest cure rates with the preservation of healthy tissue.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin Cancer Prevalence & Impact:
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with more new cases each year than breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers combined. Over the last three decades, more people have been affected by skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Treatment costs amount to an astounding $8.1 billion annually.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Melanoma's Rising Threat:
Though melanoma accounts for less than 2% of skin cancer cases, it is responsible for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths. Alarmingly, melanoma is the only cancer among the seven most common types whose incidence is increasing, rising at a rate of about 2% per year.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Contributing Factors to Increased Skin Cancer Rates:
Sun exposure, indoor tanning, and ozone layer depletion significantly contribute to the rising incidence of skin cancer. Ozone depletion has led to a 4-5% increase in harmful UVB radiation reaching Earth, affecting areas like the United States.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Understanding BCC and SCC:
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, appearing predominantly in middle-aged and elderly individuals due to prolonged sun exposure. It often occurs on the face, ears, neck, trunk, and extremities. Squamous Cell Carcinoma arises on sun-damaged skin, often developing from precursor lesions like actinic keratosis. It can appear on various body parts, including the lips, ears, hands, and genitalia.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Mohs Surgery as the Gold Standard:
Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rate for BCC and SCC, ranging from 97-99%. It is especially recommended for tumors located in cosmetically or functionally critical areas, recurrent cases, ill-defined margins, or aggressive and large tumors.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Advantages of Mohs Surgery:
- High Cure Rate: Examining 100% of the margins ensures complete tumor removal.
- Tissue Conservation: The procedure removes all tumor roots while sparing healthy skin, resulting in minimal surgical defects.
- Cost-Effectiveness: As an outpatient procedure with local anesthesia, Mohs surgery is more affordable than alternatives like radiation therapy.
- Aesthetic Outcomes: The precision of Mohs surgery allows for advanced reconstructive techniques, optimizing both functionality and appearance.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment
Mohs Surgery Procedure:
The process involves meticulous steps:
- Identifying and debulking the tumor.
- Excising a saucer-shaped tissue sample with minimal margins.
- Color-coding and mapping the tissue.
- Examining frozen sections under a microscope to ensure complete tumor removal.
This sequence is repeated until all margins are clear, guaranteeing thorough removal of cancerous cells.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment