Skin Cancer Treatment By Your Local Dermatologist
By Anthony Benedetto | Published on March 29, 2012 | 0 Comments
Imagine living on a warm, sunny island—perhaps Hawaii, Fiji, or the Virgin Islands. Although this might sound enticing, there would be trade offs for residing in a tropical paradise. On the plus side, the beautiful weather year-round would allow for minimal stress during the winter months. But on the downside, the abundance of sunshine could lead to an over-exposure of harmful UV rays and increased risk of developing skin cancer.
For those seeking treatment for skin cancer, it important to seek out the appropriate treatment by a professional dermatologist. Dr. Benedetto, a board-certified cosmetic dermatological surgeon and dermatologist at the Philadelphia, PA Dermatologic Surgicenter cares for a wide variety of skin cancer patients with a technique he considers “absolutely essential.”
The technique, called the MOHS procedure, is consistently used by the Philadelphia, PA dermatologist. Developed by Dr. Frederic Mohs in the 1930’s, the MOHS procedure is a microscopically controlled surgery that works by removing the skin cancer, and examining the damaged tissue itself. The technique is known to have a very narrow surgical margin, and a high cure rate.
“We remove the tissue, and we look at the entire undersurface of the tissue ourselves,” explains Dr. Benedetto. “Our dermatologic surgeon is also the dermatologic pathologist—so the person who removes the tissue looks at the specimen under the microscope in order to determine whether there is any skin cancer left or not.” By having this specific procedure performed, Dr. Benedetto and his fellow team of dermatologists at the Philadelphia, PA Dermatologic Surgicenter can ensure patients reach a full recovery from their skin cancer. “We have a better understanding, a better feel for what the patient has, the kind of tumor that they have, and we’re best able to remove it completely.”
The MOHS technique is a very conservative technique used by the Philadelphia, PA dermatologist. When examining skin cancer in a patient, Dr. Benedetto uses a microscope to guide and direct him to where the tumor is growing. He excises involved tissue and tumorous tissue, and makes sure to not leave any involved tissue alone. Therefore, the surgical wound from the treatment is minimal compared to what other surgeons will do when they remove skin cancer. “Other surgeons take safety margins, which is an excessive amount of tissue so that they hope they get all the tissue out. By using the MOHS technique, we don’t hope—we know when we get it all out.”
Philadelphia, PA 19107
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.