Among all
the cancers known skin cancer is usually not fatal. It can be cured easily by
doctors if caught early. This is how early awareness plays a big role. We all
need reminding to cover up from the sun and to apply sunscreen liberally before
going out. Some people are more prone to developing skin cancer than others.
But everyone in West Palm Beach can benefit from being mindful about the
damaging quality of sun rays.
How is skin
cancer treated?
A simple but
effective way to treat common skin cancers is Mohs surgery. Developed in 1938
by Dr Frederic E. Mohs, a general surgeon, it employs a microscopically
controlled surgical technique. When the cancerous cells are located Mohs
surgery can be used as it basically peels off the affected skin layers until
there are no more affected cells left. Thus this method allows for removing
skin cancer with a very narrow surgical margin and thereby provides a high
success rate. The cure rate for the most common type of skin cancer, squamous
cell carcinoma, is thought to be between 97% and 99.8% when treated with Mohssurgery.
How costly
is treatment?
While
surgery is generally expensive for any health issue, Mohs surgery is usually
more cost effective than other surgeries when considering the expenses of
tissue removal and histopathological analysis. Mohs treatment costs about $
1,100 per case while conventional cancer excision costs around $900. The exact
charges may vary from state to state or even city to city. Many experts
recommend Mohs surgery highly when the cancer is localizes in areas where
tissue needs to be preserved, such as the face, hands, feet and genitals. The
technique should not be employed on the trunk or hands and feet for
straightforward, non-melanoma cancers that are less than 1cm in size.
What is the
technique?
Four steps
are involved here. First, there is surgical removal of tissue. Second, this
tissue is mapped, frozen and then cut into pieces using a cryostat and stained.
Third, the pieces are investigated under the microscope. Finally there is
reconstruction of the surgical defect.
To Learn More About Mohs Surgery West Palm Beach Please Visit Beer Dermatology
Tags to this Page: Things To Know About Mohs Surgery West Palm Beach, Dermatologist West Palm Beach