The Cutaneous Oncology Program at the University of Arizona Cancer Center – North Campus, also known as the UACC Peter and Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., now offers Mohs micrographic surgery as part of patient care.
Mohs surgery is the most effective and advanced treatment for certain types of skin cancer today. Mohs is used primarily for the treatment of head and neck basal and squamous cell skin cancers. It is particularly useful for skin cancers in areas where there is not a lot of extra tissue.
The procedure can be performed around the eyes, or on the scalp, nose, lips, ears, and genitals. It may also be used on hands and feet. Mohs is also very effective for the treatment of tumors that have been removed before and have grown back at the same site. Depending on the specific patient and tumor type, any area of the body may be treated by Mohs surgery.
What to Expect with the Mohs Procedure
- Mohs surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in the UA Cancer Center – North clinic office. There is an on-site surgical suite and a laboratory for immediate examination of tissue under a microscope. Surgery usually starts in the morning and is completed the same day, depending on the size of the tumor.
- The patient is awake during the entire procedure and local anesthesia is used around the area of the lesion to minimize discomfort. After the area has been numbed, the Mohs surgeon removes the visible lesion along with a thin layer of surrounding tissue. This tissue is placed on slides and examined under a microscope by the Mohs surgeon. If there is evidence of cancer in the sample, another layer of tissue is taken from the area where the cancer was detected. This ensures that only cancerous tissue is removed during the procedure, and minimizes the loss of healthy tissue. These steps are repeated until the tissue removed is free of cancer.
To schedule an appointment call: (520) 694-CURE (2873).