Has anyone had Mohs surgery?

[tevagirl]

I know what Mohs surgery is but has anyone on here actually had it done? My 83 year old mother has skin cancer (squamous cell) and it's either radiation tx (around 30-35 treatments) or the Mohs surgery. Anyone who has had the procedure care to tell me how it was?

 

[escape]

I had it done a few years back for a basal cell carcinoma on my face. The cancer was not very big so the surgery only left a little scar on my face. I just tell everyone that I was in a fight and not to mess with me because the other guy had it worse. Actually, with makeup, it's hard to tell that I even have the scar.

As for the surgery, it was no big deal. I think the procedure probably lasted 45 minutes. That's because the surgeon had to scrape a little area, test it for cancer, scrape some more, test it for cancer and so forth. After the procedure, I think I went out shopping that afternoon. I had to wear a bandaid for a couple of weeks and then my regular dermatologist removed the stitches.

Is there anything specific that you would like to know?

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Weird that this turned up here today. I just took my 85 yo mother to the dermatologist today for a biopsy on her nose to see if it is skin cancer. If it is, he recommended the Mohs procedure.

 

[tevagirl]

I had it done a few years back for a basal cell carcinoma on my face. The cancer was not very big so the surgery only left a little scar on my face. I just tell everyone that I was in a fight and not to mess with me because the other guy had it worse. Actually, with makeup, it's hard to tell that I even have the scar.

As for the surgery, it was no big deal. I think the procedure probably lasted 45 minutes. That's because the surgeon had to scrape a little area, test it for cancer, scrape some more, test it for cancer and so forth. After the procedure, I think I went out shopping that afternoon. I had to wear a bandaid for a couple of weeks and then my regular dermatologist removed the stitches.

Is there anything specific that you would like to know?

Nothing specific. You actually pretty much answwered what I wanted to know. I think the surgery will be easier on her than having 6 weeks of radiation treatments.

Thanks for responding!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I'll agree and say that it's weird this is here today!! Today was "MOHS day" at our office; we have MOHS surgeries every Tuesday. Just like the one poster said, they cut out the cancer, test the cells to see if they got it all; if they didn't, they go back in and cut some more. These particular patients get a special waiting room to sit in while their cells are being tested...after the all clear, they are taken back into the room and sutured up and away they go. The surgery can be fairly quick for some people, others it can take several hours, depending on how deep and how big the cells are.

Hope this helps!

 

[tevagirl]

Weird that this turned up here today. I just took my 85 yo mother to the dermatologist today for a biopsy on her nose to see if it is skin cancer. If it is, he recommended the Mohs procedure.

Good luck with your mom.

 

[tevagirl]

I'll agree and say that it's weird this is here today!! Today was "MOHS day" at our office; we have MOHS surgeries every Tuesday. Just like the one poster said, they cut out the cancer, test the cells to see if they got it all; if they didn't, they go back in and cut some more. These particular patients get a special waiting room to sit in while their cells are being tested...after the all clear, they are taken back into the room and sutured up and away they go. The surgery can be fairly quick for some people, others it can take several hours, depending on how deep and how big the cells are.

Hope this helps!

Thanks, Steph.

 

[Cindyluwho]

I thought I'd chime in and tell you my DH's story. He was diagnosed with Melanoma Insitu (I'm hoping I spelled that right) several years ago and had the Mohs surgery. His was quite deep and there ended up being two spots right next to each other. The original stitch line was over 3 inches long from his eye all the way down to the bottom of his ear, the second was over 2". Within a month they were barely noticable. You would never know he had the surgery, except one side of his face has less "crows feet" I joke that depending on what side he sleeps on, some days I wake up with a 48 yo and other days I wake up with a 25 yo! The surgeons who do the stitching up are amazing!!!! The only mistake my husband made was after about 4 months we took a trip to Universal and he decided to ride on The Hulk, against my ranting and raving!!! It blew some stitches inside and caused some very minor redness that has never gone away. I thought his Dermatologist was going to kill him, he really got an earful!! And I thought I'd do anything to ride on a rollercoaster.

 

[tevagirl]

Melanoma's scary. Glad your DH was diagnosed early.

Btw, Cindy, I've been wanting to tell you....that's a beautiful kitchen!

 

[pjshaff]

I have to agree with everyone else, I had it done when I was DX for basal cell right between my eye and bridge of my nose. The only problem I had was since I was pregnant with ds they couldn't give me whatever blood clotting agent they use, so I bled more than the normal patient. i pretty much rested the first day and took it easier for the next couple of days. It's been 4.5 yrs now, and I go back to my derm. next week for another once over.


Good luck to your mom.

 

[JerseyJanice]

My brother-in-law, a man of Irish descent who does roofing and siding, recently was diagnosed with basal cell skin cancer on his nose. It's not rocket science to figure out how he got it! But I digress...

He went to the doctor for a sinus infection and while there, asked about this "pimple" on his nose that wouldn't heal. The GP referred him to a dermatologist, who made the skin cancer diagnosis, then referred him to a derm that specializes in the MOHS procedure.

I asked the GP in our clinic about it, and this is what she told me to share with my sister and BIL.

Basal cell skin cancer is the least serious; the MOHS procedure is the treatment of choice for it. It involves advanced training, so not all dermatologists can do it. One layer of skin at a time is removed from the cancerous area. Each layer is examined for cancer cells. The procedure is continued on the next skin layer, and possibly the next, until no more cancer cells are found. My doc told me 3 or 4 layers is what comes out most of the time, but it could be less or more--I want to say as much as 7.

Squamous cell cancer is a bit more serious so that I'm guessing that's why radiation is offered as a treatment option in addition to the MOHS.

Melanoma is very serious, and fortunately, far more rare than the other two.

Hope this helps. Good luck!


And hi, Steph. It's great to "see" you.

 

[tevagirl]

Thanks, JJ

 

[marybet]

I had it done last May. Also on the side of my nose, and I had it for at least 8 years. Another dr. had told me it was just a cyst. I was lucky in that they got it all on the first slice. The dr. maps the area and they keep taking thin slices until they get it all. My dr. did a great job and I hardly have any scar. And I went to Universal about 4 weeks after the surgery, no problems, but then I didn't ride the Hulk.

It wasn't real painful, but the 2nd day it was very swollen and I just didn't go out for several days until the swelling went down.

 

[Jynohn]

I had Mohs surgery a few years ago for basal cell cancer on my nose. Like other's have mentioned, it was a relatively simple out patient procedure. It is weird though to have a doctor operating on your face while you're wide awake! My doctor prescribed valium before my surgery to help me relax a little. There was no pain involved and the valium made for a very restful afternoon

When I was done my doctor sent me across the hall to a plastic surgeon to have it stitched, since it was on my face. It healed pretty nicely and the scar is thankfully barely visible. Not an experience I'd care to repeat though, so no more tanning for me!