Basal Cell Carcinoma Tumor Before & After | St. Louis Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery
Channel: St. Louis Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery
Date: 2022-06-24

This patient came in with a previously diagnosed basal cell carcinoma tumor above their lip. In this video we see the tumor before and after surgical removal and reconstruction by our very own Dr. Brandon T. Beal, MD FAAD. 

What is Mohs surgery? 
Mohs Micrographic Surgery (Mohs Surgery or Micrographic Surgery) is the most effective surgical technique for treating skin cancer. Mohs Surgery offers the highest cure rate, up to 99% while also providing the best cosmetic outcome (Keeps you looking beautiful!). The primary goal of skin cancer surgery is to remove 100% of the skin cancer and as little of your normal skin as possible. Mohs Micrographic surgery examines 100% of the margin (edges) of the specimen that is removed. Meaning, 100% of the side and bottom edges of the specimen are examined microscopically to ensure there are no skin cancer cells at the edges. This is why Mohs Surgery provides the highest cure rates for skin cancer, 99%, the smallest scar, and best cosmetic outcome.

Why is Mohs Surgery better than Traditional Surgery? 
Traditional surgery involves the surgeon removing the skin cancer and sending it to an outside lab, where a pathologist examines the tissue. The tissue is “bread loafed” – imagine a loaf of bread & removing a few slices to examine under the microscope. The entire crust of the bread is not examined, leaving most of the edges unexamined. This has resulted in high recurrence rates for facial skin cancers, greater than 10%. Mohs Micrographic Surgery examines 100% of the tumor edges, the entire bread crust to ensure there is no tumor at the edge of the specimen. This is why Mohs Surgery has up to a 99% cure rate, because the Mohs surgeon examines 100% of the edges of the tumor. After your skin cancer has been treated with Mohs Micrographic Surgery – you are skin cancer free. With conventional surgery, patients typically wait up to 1 week for results to know if the surgeon removed the skin cancer or if some of the cancer still remains. With conventional surgery, if skin cancer still remains, the patient must undergo another surgery and will have to wait an additional week to find out the results.  

Have you been diagnosed with skin cancer? Are you wondering if Mohs Surgery is the best treatment option for you? 

For more information on Mohs Surgery and our Surgeon, visit our website at: 
https://cosmeticdermatologystlouis.com/mohs-surgery/ 

Interested in seeing more before and after images of Dr. Beal's real patients? Visit our website at: 
https://cosmeticdermatologystlouis.com/mohs-surgery-before-and-after/