CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE OF SKIN CANCER SURGERY IN LANSDALE
Dr. Saxena and her team at Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute are committed to providing safe, healthy skin solutions at our Lansdale and Fort Washington locations. Therefore, we are proud to offer one of the most advanced surgeries available for skin cancer, which is the most serious of all dermatological problems.
Why surgical technique is important
Skin cancer is a proliferation of abnormal cells, which spreads, sometimes quite rapidly. The most effective solution is to remove the tumor, but that is not as simple as it may sound. Most methods require your surgeon to guess how much tissue to remove, based on visual examination. The doctor typically removes extra tissue around the margin, because if any cancerous cells remain, the tumor will return and continue growing.
The Mohs technique is unique, because it relies on laboratory analysis rather than just visual examination. In this procedure, the surgeon removes a very thin layer of tissue and maps the precise location of cancer cells. That information is used to guide the removal of another layer, which is subsequently analyzed. The process continues until all cancer cells have been removed. Mohs takes the guesswork out of skin cancer surgery, resulting in a higher cure rate than any other method. It also has better cosmetic outcomes, because there is no need to remove excess healthy tissue.
Are you a candidate for Mohs surgery?
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, Mohs is the gold standard in skin cancer treatment, particularly for:
- Treatment in medium or high-risk areas, such as those on the hands, feet, scalp, and face
- Large or aggressive tumors
- Cancers that have returned after another type of surgery
- Poorly defined borders
- Cancer that occurs in cosmetically sensitive areas
Mohs micrographic surgery requires advanced skills, and there is a limited number of qualified dermatologists. Fortunately for residents of Lansdale and Fort Washington, Dr. Aradhna Saxena is a fellowship-trained, extensively experienced Mohs surgeon. If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer and would like to explore treatment options, or if you have a suspicious lesion that may be cancerous, schedule an appointment right away. You can reach our Lansdale office at (215) 392-6636 or our Fort Washington office at (215) 392-6680