Surgical Procedures

ELECTRODESSICATION AND CURETTAGE (ED&C)

ED&C is a surgical technique used for Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. First, the patient is injected with a local anesthetic. An instrument called a curette is used to scrape the loosely connected skin cancer cells out of the skin. After scraping, electro-cautery (desiccation) is used to cauterize and destroy the skin cancer roots. This process is repeated several times until all the cancer has been removed. The wound is left to heal without sutures. 

EXCISION

Excisions involve the use of relatively superficial structures, is performed under local anesthesia, and seldom entails major blood loss or fluid shifts. It is still an invasive procedure and a preoperative assessment of the patient is essential.  

MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY FOR SKIN CANCER 

Developed by Dr. Frederick Mohs in the 1930s, Mohs Micrographic Surgery has been used as the single most effective technique for removing Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCCA), the two most common skin cancers. It accomplishes sparing the greatest amount of healthy tissue while also completely expunging cancer cells. Cure rates for BCCs and SCCAs are an unparalleled 98% or higher with Mohs, significantly better than the rates for standard excision or any other accepted method.