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Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in man. More than 1.2 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. The vast majority of them will be basal cell carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas. Many of these cancers are not entirely visible on the surface of the skin, with “roots” or “fingers” extending deeper or wider into the surrounding tissue.
Skin cancer is caused by a combination of factors including sunlight(UV) exposure and genetics/heredity. People who work outdoors and are fair skinned are more likely to develop skin cancer. Heredity also plays a role in certain skin cancers when gene defects are passed down the generations. These defective genes cannot repair the damage caused by the sun allowing cancers to develop more frequently.
Skin cancer can come in a variety of forms ranging from a red nonhealing patch (can resemble a skin rash) to a pearly pink-red bump that bleeds. Ulcers that don’t heal may also be skin cancer. Dermatologists can evaluate these lesions and if a skin cancer is suspected, a biopsy is done for diagnosis.
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Mohs micrographic surgery was developed many years ago by Dr. Frederich Mohs at the University of Wisconsin. This technique is designed to eliminate all of the “roots” of the cancers. This is achieved by removing the tumor in layers, mapping each piece of tissue and examining frozen sections of each layer removed. This procedure continues until all of the margins are free of tumor. The procedure is performed by a specially trained Mohs surgeon who acts as surgeon and pathologist for the entire procedure.
In many cases, the resulting wound will be reconstructed immediately following removal of the cancer.
Mohs surgery is the treatment of choice for large or recurrent cancers, for tumors with indistinct margins and for cancers located in sensitive areas where it is important to preserve healthy tissue for maximum function and cosmetic result. Of all treatments available for skin cancer, Mohs surgery is most precise, has the highest cure rates and minimizes scarring.
University Dermatologists has three fellowship trained Mohs surgeons: Dr. Melissa Babcock, Dr. William Lynch and Dr. Jennifer Popovsky. The procedure is performed at the following offices: Akron, Green Road, Landerbrook, Parma and Westlake.
Additional information regarding Mohs surgery may be obtained at the American College of Mohs Surgery website.
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