MedicineNet

Mohs Surgery Center - Abilene, TX

Abilene Dermatologist Doctors for Mohs Surgery

Type of Physician: Dermatologist

What is a Dermatologist?

A certification by the Board of Dermatology; practitioners treat pediatric and adult patients with disorders of the skin, mouth, hair and nails as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. They also have expertise in the care of normal skin, the prevention of skin diseases and cancers, and in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars.

Specialty: Dermatology

Common Name: Skin Doctor

Dermatologist Doctors in Abilene *

Joe Cannon MD
Joe Cannon
802 Orange St
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 677-0086

Clyde Morgan MD
Clyde Morgan
1166 Merchant St
Abilene, TX 79603
(325) 673-4242

Abilene Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center
Craig D Urban
3190 Antilley Rd
Abilene, TX 79606
(325) 672-5603

Martin McGonagle MD
Martin McGonagle
107-B Southpark Dr
Brownwood, TX 76801
(325) 643-5824

Shannon Clinic Dermatology
Ernest N Charlesworth
120 E Beauregard Ave
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 481-2294

Shannon Clinic Dermatology
Mark A Ramirez
120 E Beauregard Ave
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 481-2294

West Texas Medical Associates
Ross A Alexander
3555 Knickerbocker Rd
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 224-5521

Abilene, Texas

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-16
2012-06-16
2012-07-09
Threshold
Abilene, Texas
2012-09-08
2012-09-15
2012-11-11

Mohs Surgery

What is Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS)? Why is the procedure called Mohs?

Mohs micrographic surgery is a minor surgical procedure and special method of removing skin cancers using local anesthesia (numbing). The majority of cases are performed in the physician's office. Mohs is a very precise, highly detailed technique whereby small layers of skin are sequentially removed and immediately examined under the microscope until the samples indicate that the skin cancer is completely removed.

The procedure uses frozen sections of skin that are then stained with special dyes. The dyed frozen pieces of skin are further examined under the microscope and a tumor map is drawn by the Mohs surgeon. The freezing process allows an immediate examination of the entire tumor margin and tissue histology (microscopic examination of cells).

If more cancer cells or "roots" are seen under the microscope, then another skin layer is removed and again examined. Each skin layer that is removed is called a "level." If no more cancer roots are seen, then it is called "clear" (no more tumor) and no additional levels are needed.

By removing only tissue where cancer is known to be present, the technique combines a very high cure rate with good preservation of normal skin. Once the cancer has been fully removed, the Mohs surgeon looks at the wound to determine the method to obtain the best wound repair and cosmetic result for you.

Mohs is special because the entire edge and undersurface of each skin cancer layer is carefully examined under the microscope for the presence of very small cancer cells. With regular or traditional surgery, only about 1%-3% of the tumor margins are actually examined, thereby increasing the chances that a small tumor root would be missed and left behind. Mohs allows for examination of 100% of the tumor margins thereby reducing the chance that tumor cells will be left behind.

...

Recommended Reading Related to Mohs Surgery

Keloid »

What is a keloid?

Keloids can be considered to be "scars that don't know when to stop." A keloid, sometimes referred to as a keloid scar, is a tough heaped-up scar that rises quite abruptly above the rest of the skin. It usually has a smooth top and a pink or purple color. Keloids are irregularly shaped and tend to enlarge progressively. Unlike scars, keloids do not subside over time.

What is the difference between a keloid and a hypertrophic scar?

After the skin is injured, the healing process usually leaves a flat scar. Sometimes the scar is hypertrophic, or thickened, but confined to the margin of the wound. Hypertrophic scars tend to be redder and may subside by themselves (a process which can take one year or more). Treatment such as injections of cortisone (steroids) can speed this process.

Keloids, by contrast, may start some time after the injury and extend beyond the wound site. This tendency to...

Emergency Contact for Abilene

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Abilene Hospitals *

Hendrick Health System
1900 Pine St
Abilene, TX 79601
(325)670-2000

Acadia Abilene Psychiatric Center
4225 Woods Pl
Abilene, TX 79602
(325)698-6600

Abilene Regional Medical Center
6250 Highway 83-84 at Antilley Rd
Abilene, TX 79606
(325)428-1000

Anson General Hospital
101 Ave J
Anson, TX 79501
(325)823-3231

Stamford Memorial Hospital
1601 Columbia St
Stamford, TX 79553
(325)773-2725

North Runnels Hospital
7821 E Highway 153
Winters, TX 79567
(325)754-4553

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.