Mohs Surgery Mesa, AZ | Skin Cancer Excision Safford & Show Low

When it comes to treating skin cancer of any stage or size, you want to be sure that all of the cancerous tissue is removed without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. When it comes to precisely removing cancer from visible areas of skin, Mohs surgery is often the choice Dr. Hamblin turns to for treating skin cancer with the lowest chance of remission.

What is Mohs Surgery?

The Mohs surgery procedure can be performed in-office and requires the gradual shaving away of cancerous skin cell layers until no cancer remains. Dr. Travis Hamblin performs this procedure himself and analyzes each layer of tissue removed to check on how many – if any – cancerous cells are still remaining under a microscope. This allows him to remove as little healthy skin as possible, reducing the risk of bad scarring and helping to improve recovery times.

Benefits of Mohs Surgery

Still, the right approach for your unique experience with skin cancer may be a more traditional excision approach if Dr. Hamblin recommends this technique.

Mohs can be the preferred procedure for any type of skin cancer, particularly given these characteristics:

Low risk of cancer recurrence
Minimal scarring for visible areas
A gradual approach is ideal for poorly defined growth
Large cancerous regions

Symptoms of Skin Cancer

There are several types of skin cancer, and they generally look like large spots of unusual shape, color, texture, or discharge on the skin. Skin cancer can also resemble scars and cause sensations like itchiness, burning, or bleeding when touched or rubbed.

When you have concerns about sudden or large changes in skin sensation or appearance, it’s always best to get a board-certified dermatologist’s input to avoid any potential issue from becoming cancerous or more aggressively cancerous.

The Mohs Surgery Procedure

Your Mohs surgery will take place in an outpatient surgical room that has lab equipment including a microscope nearby to allow easy access for Dr. Hamblin to examine different tissue samples. First, your skin will be numbed and sterilized for your safety and comfort, then the shaving process begins. With each layer, Dr. Hamblin will spend a few minutes or more analyzing and recording the presence of cancer cells to establish a three-dimensional understanding of where it resides in the skin.

This process usually takes about 2 hours or more depending on your unique surgical case. During the procedure you’re likely able to be on your phone, read a book, or watch TV, and we recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing to be as comfortable as possible during the procedure.

When there are no more cancer cells detected, Dr. Hamblin will close the wound with dressings such as a skin graft or sutures and you’ll be free to go home.

Mohs Surgery Recovery and Aftercare

Immediately afterward, you’ll have detailed instructions from Dr. Hamblin about how to take care of the surgery site, including cleaning and bandaging instructions. He may schedule a few checkup appointments in the following weeks and months to ensure no other growths develop as well as to ensure your wound heals adequately and with the best chance of favorable scarring.

Schedule Your Mohs Surgery Appointment Today

If you know or are worried that you may be experiencing skin cancer of some kind, Mohs surgery can be a highly effective way to ensure remission and get the best advice for protecting your entire skin for the years to come. Contact Dr. Hamblin by calling our office or filling out the online contact form below.