Cancer is an undeniably scary diagnosis, but skin cancer treatments for patients in New Jersey and beyond have evolved significantly over recent decades. The good news is that there is a highly effective procedure that precisely targets cancer cells with an aim to remove all cancerous tissue from the target area. With an unmatched cure rate of up to 99%, Mohs surgery at our New Jersey practice is considered the gold standard for skin cancer treatment.
Also known as Mohs Micrographic Surgery, this procedure was first developed by general surgeon Frederic E. Mohs, who realized that visible cancerous growths are like the tip of an iceberg. That means there are more cancerous cells beneath the surface. While these dangerous cells are not visible to the naked eye, they are readily visible with the use of a microscope. Leveraging this knowledge, the Mohs surgical technique relies on a process of removing layers of tissue and examining them under a microscope until no more cancer is detected. Mohs surgery, used in New Jersey and beyond, is lauded for its effectiveness and precision—targeting only the tissue containing cancerous cells, thereby minimizing scarring from the surgery.
In late 2016 she founded the Skin & Laser Center of NJ, LLC in Mahwah, NJ where she continues to treat her medical and cosmetic patients, and further pursues her interest in laser medicine. Dr. Lieb’s mission is to provide high quality dermatologic care using up-to-date medical information and cutting edge technology in an efficiently run practice. Dr. Lieb is board certified in dermatology, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, a member of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the New Jersey Dermatologic Society. Dr. Lieb is a Staff Dermatologist at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.
There are several different methods for removing skin cancer, including excision, electrodessication and curettage, cryosurgery, topical medications, and Mohs surgery. While each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, Mohs surgery is considered the most effective treatment. Mohs surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning that patients don’t require hospitalization. Local anesthetic is used to minimize the recovery time.
In some ways, Mohs surgery is similar to a standard excision. Your surgeon utilizes a scalpel to cut away—or excise—the cancerous growth. During a standard excision, the surgeon would remove the visible tumor and a small portion of the surrounding tissue in an effort to ensure all the cancerous cells have been dealt with. A Mohs surgical procedure at Skin & Laser Center of NJ involves the removal of a thin layer of skin followed by examination of the tissue beneath a microscope to look for persistent cancer cells while you wait. This process continues one layer at a time until the surgeon is confident there are no cancerous cells remaining.
While the majority of Mohs surgery patients only need one layer removed, some patients require the removal of multiple layers of tissue. Every patient is different, but what’s important—and what distinguishes Mohs as a technique for removing cancerous lesions—is the commitment to ensuring all cancerous tissue is removed while preserving nearby healthy tissue.
Mohs surgery at Skin & Laser Center of NJ is an appropriate treatment for most forms of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This does not exclude Mohs surgery from being utilized to address other forms of skin cancer. Because Mohs surgery precisely targets the cancerous growth, it is especially popular for treating areas where preserving healthy tissue is beneficial from a cosmetic perspective. This includes the scalp, face, ears, hands, genitals, and feet.
Other examples of patients who may benefit from Mohs surgery in New Jersey include those who were previously treated for skin cancer, but who saw the disease return. Cancerous growths that are large, growing rapidly, particularly aggressive types of cancer such as infiltrating basal cell carcinoma, or growths that do not have clearly defined edges are all excellent candidates for Mohs surgery.
Ultimately, the best way to determine whether you are a good candidate for Mohs surgery at our New Jersey practice is to schedule a consultation to discuss and examine any areas of concern. We are here to help you at every stage of your journey to health.
Prior to Mohs surgery, you will meet with your provider for an examination of the area in question, discussion of your medical history, and overview of available treatment options and the various risks and benefits of each. If your provider recommends Mohs surgery as the best course of treatment for you, we will schedule your surgery. Our office will contact you prior to your appointment to discuss any medications that need to be stopped, prescribe antibiotics, and discuss any concerns.
Mohs surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure at our facility in Ramsey, New Jersey. The length of time required for a Mohs procedure varies based on how many layers of tissue need to be removed. While the average procedure takes several hours, you should be prepared to spend the entire day at the facility if necessary. Before the procedure begins, your surgeon will inject a local anesthetic to ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible. Most of the time spent at the office will be waiting for the microscopic processing of your tissue.
The surgeon will begin by removing the visible lesion as well as a thin layer of tissue. You will be asked to wait while the surgeon examines the tissue in a lab to determine whether it contains cancer cells. This process may take about an hour, and you’re welcome to read, answer emails, eat a snack, or watch a show on your phone or iPad during this time. The surgeon will return and may take another layer of tissue, continuing the process, or your Mohs surgery may be complete after a single layer. However many layers are removed, you can feel confident and secure in the knowledge that your Mohs surgery at Skin & Laser Center of NJ will be complete when all cancer cells are removed.
After your surgeon has removed the skin cancer, you will discuss the best method of managing the surgical site. Depending on the location, size of the area, and your own preference, this might include allowing the wound to heal on its own, sutures to close the wound, or sealing the wound with tissue from surrounding skin (also known as a skin flap). From here, you are free to go home to rest and recover, knowing that the skin cancer has been entirely dealt with.
Following your Mohs surgery, you will be able to return home to recover. Any pain you experience over the next few days should be mild and easily managed with acetaminophen. Before you leave the facility, your surgeon will provide you with aftercare instructions, which will include how to care for the dressing on your wound and how to clean the wound after the dressing can safely be removed. Indirectly applying ice packs to the wound will help reduce swelling and bruising. We sell customized surgery aftercare kits to help with a faster recovery.
Following your Mohs surgery in New Jersey, you will need to avoid strenuous exercise—including heavy lifting—for at least a week. It is essential to protect the surgical site from direct sunlight, utilizing sunscreen and protective clothing and headwear.
You should be able to return to work and your normal routine (excluding strenuous movement) the day after the procedure. The recovery period following Mohs surgery varies based on the size of the skin cancer lesion and your own health. Generally, the recovery period lasts between four and six weeks. Your medical care team at the Skin & Laser Center of NJ is here to answer any questions or address any concerns you might have during the recovery process.
Skin & Laser Center of NJ in Ramsey provides a wide range of medical, surgical, and cosmetic services for patients in and around New Jersey. Patients can get diagnosis and treatment for acne, skin cancer (with Mohs surgery), chronic conditions (like psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema), moles, melasma, vitiligo, athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, scabies, contact dermatitis, and more. Cosmetic options include wrinkle-relaxing BOTOX® and Dysport®, dermal fillers like Juvederm® and Restylane®, Kybella® for reducing a double chin, chemical peels, Hydrafacial MD, microneedling, laser hair removal, laser acne treatments, laser scar treatments, laser tattoo removal, CoolSculpting®, laser vein treatments, sclerotherapy, and more.
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