Skin cancer and Mohs surgery — the gold standard for precise, cure-focused removal.
Diagnosed with skin cancer, or have a spot that concerns you?
The most common type of cancer in humans is skin cancer. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans develop skin cancer in their lifetime. This condition can develop at any age, from your childhood or teen years but especially in adulthood.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone sees their physician every year for a professional skin exam.
At ZENA Medical, we treat skin cancer comprehensively to remove skin cancer and treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas; two of the most common forms of skin cancer. We are certified in Mohs micrographic surgery and general Dermatologic surgery. Our physicians are fellows of:
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a technique to remove skin cancers from areas that are cosmetically important. It is a specialized, highly effective technique developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs in the 1930s for the selective removal of skin cancer. This technique differs from other skin cancer treatments in that it allows for complete removal of skin cancer including its “roots” with the aid of a microscope while preserving as much of the normal surrounding tissue as possible.
Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. During the procedure, the dermatologic surgeon will remove only the cancerous tissue and also verify that all the cancer cells are removed by inspecting the tissue under the microscope during the actual surgery. Your Mohs surgeon is specifically trained to examine the tissue under the microscope and ensure all cells are cleared at the margins. Layers are removed one at a time and inspected to ensure that only cancerous tissue is removed and the smallest possible excision is created but the highest cure rate is achieved. It typically takes 1 to 3 rounds to ensure all of the cancer is removed.
You may be a good candidate for Mohs surgery if your skin cancer:
You can expect to feel tired after Mohs surgery. We’ll recommend that you take it easy and refrain from any vigorous activities. You should keep the bandage placed on the surgical site for 24 to 48 hours and wait until instructed to remove it.
We’ll encourage you to take antibiotics to help prevent infection.
Our comprehensive approach also involves treating skin cancer non-surgically. We are creative in our protocols that treat non-medical skin cancer with chemotherapy creams and Photodynamic therapy laser treatment. Sometimes surgery is not your choice and we can work around your fears and apprehension to eradicate your skin cancer with innovative therapies.
Mohs micrographic surgery is the gold-standard treatment for many skin cancers, especially on the face. The surgeon removes the cancer one thin layer at a time and examines each layer under a microscope immediately, continuing only where cancer cells remain.
Because the tissue is checked in real time, Mohs offers one of the highest cure rates for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas while removing the least amount of healthy skin — especially important for cosmetically sensitive areas like the nose, ears, and around the eyes.
Mohs is performed in-office under local anesthesia, often in a single visit, with repair of the site once the area is clear. At ZENA Medical in Newport Beach, skin cancer care is guided by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Zena Gabriel. If you have a diagnosed or suspicious skin lesion, schedule a consultation promptly.
A precise, layer-by-layer removal of skin cancer with the tissue checked under a microscope in real time.
It offers one of the highest cure rates while sparing the most healthy skin.
Often yes, in-office under local anesthesia.
