Mohs Surgery: A Safe Skin Cancer Treatment in Sydney

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Sydney. But it’s also one of the most curable cancers when detected early. Mohs surgery is considered as the most effective treatment for many basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), the two most common types of skin cancer.

Skin Cancer Treatment in Sydney is performed in stages, all in one visit, while the patient waits between each stage. Sometimes called Mohs micrographic surgery, the procedure is performed in stages, including lab work, while the patient waits. This enables the removal of all cancerous cells for the highest cure rate while saving healthy tissue and leaving the smallest conceivable scar.

After removing a layer of tissue, the surgeon examines it under a microscope in an on-site lab. If any cancer cells remain, the surgeon knows the exact area where they are and removes another layer of tissue from that exact location, while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. The doctor repeats this process until no cancer cells remain. Contingent upon the location of your skin cancer, you may be able to wear your clothes, or you may need to put on a hospital gown.

The Mohs surgeon examines the spot where you had your biopsy and may mark it with a pen for reference. The specialist positions you for best access, which may mean sitting up or lying down. A surgical drape is placed over the area.

If your skin cancer is on your face, that may mean you can’t see what’s happening, but the doctor converses with you through it. The surgeon then injects a local anesthesia, which numbs the area completely. You stay awake throughout the procedure. Using a scalpel, the surgeon expels a thin layer of visible cancerous tissue. Some skin cancers may be "the tip of the iceberg," meaning they have roots or extensions that aren’t visible from the surface. The lab analysis, which comes next, will determine that. Your wound is bandaged temporarily and you can relax while the lab work starts.

The surgeon cuts the tissue into sections, color codes them with dyes and draws a map of the surgical site. In the lab, a technician freezes the divided tissue, at that point cuts very thin horizontal slices like a layer cake. The slices are placed on microscope slides, stained and covered. This meticulous process takes time.

Using a microscope, the surgeon examines all the edges and underside of the tissue on the slides and, if any cancer cells remain, marks their location on the map. The physician then lets you know whether you need another layer of tissue removed.

Then, while you wait, the lab work starts again. The entire process is repeated as many times as needed until there are no more cancer cells. When the site is clear of all cancer cells, the wound might be left open to heal or the surgeon may close it with stitches. This depends on its size and location. So, choose safe and effective Skin Cancer Treatment in Sydney.