Mohs micrographic surgery
- What is skin cancer?
- What are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas?
- What about melanoma?
- How successful is the treatment of skin cancer?
- What is Mohs surgery?
- How do I prepare for the day of surgery?
- What happens the day of surgery?
- What can I expect after the surgery is complete?
- Will I develop more skin cancers?
- Patient questionnaire (PDF file) -
Please print, fill out, sign and bring with you to your surgery appointment.
Dr. Neil Swanson, Dr. Anna Bar
and Dr. Ken K. Lee
Will I develop more skin cancers?
After having skin cancer, statistics say that you have a higher chance
of developing a second. The damage your skin has already received
from the sun cannot be reversed. However, there are precautions that can
be taken to prevent further skin cancers. They involve good common sense.
You should use a sunscreen; applying it at least 10 minutes before exposure
to light. Higher SPF numbers are more protective. We recommend that you use a
SFP of 30 or higher sunscreen. Regardless of manufacturers' claims, we
recommend that you reapply sunscreen after swimming. A wide-brimmed hat,
long-sleeved shirt and other protective
clothing are also appropriate. Avoidance of excessive sunshine is recommended.
You should have your skin checked very closely by a physician at six-month intervals. Our policy is to follow the majority of our patients until the wound is healed. Once the wound is healded, patients can continue with their referring physician. If you have not yet established care with a dermatologist, your surgeon can give you a referral. We recommend six-month follow-up visits for two years, then yearly. Of course, any areas of skin that change, fail to heal, or just concern you should be brought to the attention of your referring dermatologist immediately. He or she can adequately treat most skin cancers when they are detected early.