Mohs Surgery – Skin Cancer Removal

Mohs Surgery at Midland Dermatology

If you’re looking for skin cancer removal in Midland, Texas, consider Mohs surgery with Dr. Russell Akin. Mohs surgery, an outpatient procedure, continues to be one of the best options for skin cancer treatment, as it only removes thin layers of cancer-infected skin until cancer-free skin remains.

One of the top benefits of Mohs surgery is that it leaves a better cosmetic appearance than traditional skin cancer removal procedures. Mohs surgery is the standard to remove skin cancers in various areas, such as the face, ears, nose, hands, feet, fingers, and genitalia. 

Not all skin cancers should or need to be treated with Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is primarily for invasive skin cancers on the head and neck, recurrent skin cancers, larger skin cancers on the trunk and extremities, or more aggressive subtypes of skin cancers. Other superficial skin cancers and small or less aggressive skin cancers can be treated with excision, curettage, topical chemotherapy medications, etc. Read more about Mohs surgery here.

The Process of Mohs Surgery at Midland Dermatology

Mohs surgery, performed at the Midland Dermatology clinic, is an advanced technique where Dr. Russell Akin serves as the surgeon, pathologist, and reconstructive surgeon. During the initial portion of the procedure, Dr. Akin will remove a layer of skin around the visible portion of the tumor. Next, he will immediately examine the tissue under a microscope, which allows him to map out the skin cancer, beyond what is visible to the naked eye, and remove additional tissue from only the areas that are involved with the tumor. The removal process stops when there is no longer any evidence of cancer remaining in the surgical site.  Dr. Akin is the only fellowship trained Mohs surgeon in the Permian Basin.

What to Expect During Mohs Surgery at Midland Dermatology

Before the procedure, you’ll receive local anesthesia to numb the area where Mohs surgery is being performed. Photographs are taken before, during and after surgery. The majority of your time will be spent waiting for the slide preparation and interpretation. Once the tissue has been surgically removed, the wound is dressed with a temporary bandage while the tissue is processed.

The number of times you return to the surgical suite for removal of tissue is determined by the results of microscopic examination of the tissue. The tumor may require only one stage for complete removal or multiple stages. The surgery is continued until the tumor is completely removed by the microscopic examination. The procedure may last from a couple of hours to several hours.

Click here to read more about what patients can expect during Mohs surgery from the American College of Mohs Surgery.

Skin Cancers Treated with Mohs Surgery at Midland Dermatology

The most common skin cancers treated with Mohs surgery at Midland Dermatology are Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

At Midland Dermatology, we also use Mohs surgery to remove lentigo maligna (the most superficial form of melanoma) with MART 1 immunostains. This is an advanced technique not offered by most Mohs surgery practices. Immunostains allow us to remove the tumor and process the tissue with a stain that highlights the melanocytes making it easier to remove these skin cancers with more complete evaluation of the margin.

Midland Dermatology can also remove unusual skin cancers with Mohs surgery.

Mohs Surgery Cure Rates

Mohs surgery has a high cure rate compared to traditional forms of skin cancer removal. The reported cure rates in the medical literature for the Mohs technique are 95% to 99% for lesions treated, depending on skin cancer subtype and whether the lesion is recurrent.  Our goal with Mohs at Midland Dermatology is to only remove the tissue involved with the tumor to minimize the postoperative defect and hopefully provide a better cosmetic result.

Schedule an Appointment to Discuss Skin Cancer Removal with Dr. Russell Akin

If you’re interested in learning more about Mohs surgery, or other skin cancer removal options, schedule an appointment with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Russell Akin here at Midland Dermatology in Midland, Texas. Dr. Akin is a board-certified and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon and the only one in the Permian Basin. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 432-689-2512.