Mohs Skin Cancer Team
At Ozarks Dermatology Specialists, our expert Mohs skin cancer team is headed by Dr. Craig Naugle and Dr. Meghan Seago.
Both doctors underwent four years of rigorous training to become board-certified dermatologists, followed by an additional fellowship in advanced surgical techniques for skin cancer treatment. They both trained in the highly competitive Mohs Micrographic Surgery fellowship at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California. In addition, Dr. Naugle was the first to bring the Mohs procedure to the Springfield area and is one of the leading skin cancer experts in the Ozarks.
With more than 20 years of experience and over 59,000 successful treatments, Ozarks Dermatology Specialists is the region's leader in Mohs Micrographic Surgery and cutaneous oncology, offering unparalleled care to the Ozarks community.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery Overview
Mohs micrographic surgery is the most advanced and effective treatment for skin cancer available today. Initially developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs, the Mohs procedure is a state-of-the-art treatment that has been continuously refined for over 70 years. With the Mohs technique, physicians can see beyond the visible disease to microscopically map and remove the entire tumor, layer by layer, while leaving the surrounding healthy tissue intact and unharmed. This minimizes the chance of regrowth and lessens the potential for scarring or disfigurement.
The procedure is performed by specially trained surgeons who have completed at least one additional year of fellowship training (in addition to the physician’s three-year dermatology residency) under the guidance of an American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) fellowship director.
How Effective Is Mohs Surgery?
Clinical studies conducted at various national and international medical institutions – including the Mayo Clinic, the University of Miami School of Medicine, and Royal Perth Hospital in Australia – demonstrate that Mohs surgery provides five-year cure rates of up to 99% for new cancers and 95% for recurrent cancers.
Why Does My Skin Cancer Need Mohs Surgery?
Mohs is primarily used to treat basal and squamous cell carcinomas but can be used to treat less common tumors including melanoma.
Mohs Surgery is appropriate when:
- The cancer is in an area where it is important to preserve healthy tissue for maximum functional and cosmetic results such as the face, eyelids, nose, ears, lips, fingers, toes, genitals.
- The cancer edges cannot be clearly defined.
- The cancer had aggressive features under the microscope.
- The cancer was treated previously and recurred.
- Scar tissue exists around the cancer.
- The cancer is large.
- The cancer is growing rapidly or uncontrollably.
What to Expect
Mohs surgery is usually an outpatient procedure performed in a physician’s office. Typically, it starts early in the morning and can be completed the same day, depending on the extent of the tumor and the amount of reconstruction necessary. Local anesthesia is administered around the affected area, so the patient is awake during the entire procedure.
Reconstruction and Post Operative Consultation
Mohs surgeons are also trained in reconstructive procedures and will often perform the necessary repairs to the wound.
As soon as the affected area is declared cancer-free, the Mohs surgeon discusses post-surgical options with the patient. These include:
- Allowing a small, simple wound to heal on its own.
- Closing a slightly larger wound with stitches.
- Possible skin grafts or flaps for larger wounds.
- Calling upon another physician, such as a plastic surgeon, to assist with reconstruction if necessary.
Ongoing Management and Follow Up
Post-surgical check-ups by the Mohs surgeon or referral physician are recommended to monitor the patient’s progress and spot any possible recurrence in a timely manner. Since 40% of patients develop another skin cancer in a different location within five years, follow up is extremely important for early detection of any new lesions.
Cost Effectiveness
As the incidence of skin cancer soars, greater focus is currently being placed on the cost effectiveness of treatment. Over the past decade, studies have been conducted to calculate and compare the costs of Mohs surgery with those of traditional surgical methods.
Studies show that Mohs is no more costly than standard excision and is less expensive than radiation therapy or excision in an ambulatory surgery center. Because the Mohs process minimizes the risk of recurrence, it reduces and frequently eliminates the costs of larger, more serious surgery for recurrent skin cancers.
