Mohs Micrographic Surgery

What is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?

Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the most effective technique for treating many basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), the two most common types of skin cancer. The procedure is done in stages, including lab work, while the patient waits. This allows the removal of all cancerous cells for the highest cure rate while sparing healthy tissue and leaving the smallest possible scar. The entire Mohs surgery procedure can take several hours, but it is worth it for the high cure rate.

Who Performs the Procedure?

Only doctors who are specially trained to fulfill the following three roles can perform Mohs micrographic surgery:

  1. As the oncology surgeon who removes the cancerous tissue
  2. As the pathologist who analyzes the lab specimen
  3. As the reconstructive surgeon who closes or reconstructs the wound

Dr. Eiman Nasseri is one of four surgeons in all of British Columbia and a handful across Canada who is trained to do Mohs Micrographic Surgery. He is a board certified in both Canada and the US, and an active member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA), the Canadian Society for Dermatologic Surgery (CSDS), the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC), Doctors of BC, the BC Dermatology Association, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), the American Board of Dermatology (ABD), the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) and the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS).

As a leader in the field of skin cancer, he is a sought after and frequent lecturer at national and international conferences, and is the author of multiple journal publications.

Before and After

Advantages of Mohs Micrographic Surgery

  1. Efficient, cost-effective treatment:
    • Single-visit outpatient surgery
    • Local anesthesia
    • Lab work done on-site for rapid turnaround time of hours instead of weeks or months
  2. Precise results:
    • Examines 100% of tumor markings, taking the guesswork out of treatment
    • Spares healthy tissue
    • Leaves the smallest scar possible
  3. The highest cure rate:
    • Up to 99% for a skin cancer that has not been treated before
    • Up to 95% for a skin cancer that has recurred after previous treatment

What Happens During Mohs Micrographic Surgery?

The procedure is done in stages, all in one visit, while the patient waits between each stage. After removing a layer of tissue, Dr. Nasseri examines it under the microscope in our state-of-the art, on-site laboratory. If any cancer cells remain, Dr. Nasseri knows the exact area where they are and removes another layer of tissue from that precise location, while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. Dr. Nasseri repeats this process until no cancer cells remain.

Is Mohs Micrographic Surgery Right For Me?

Mohs micrographic surgery is the gold standard for treating many basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), including those in cosmetically and functionally important areas around the scalp, ears, eyes, nose, lips, fingers, toes and genitals. Mohs micrographic surgery is also recommended for BCCs and SCCs that are large, aggressive or growing rapidly, have indistinct edges have been unsuccessfully treated by other means or recurred after treatment.

What are the advantages of Healthy Skin Centre?

Healthy Skin Centre meets the latest and most rigorous standards for patient care and safety as a surgical facility exclusively accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. We ensure you are taken care of in a modern, calming and clean environment, where patient safety and comfort is our priority.

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