Skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the Netherlands with more than 70,000 people diagnosed annually.There are different forms of skin cancer. The most common forms are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. In the vast majority of cases, the skin cancer can be treated well with skin cancer surgery. Mohs surgery is used for complex facial skin cancers, especially basal cell carcinomas.
When can Mohs surgery be used?
Mohs surgery is mainly used for facial skin cancer. Strict criteria apply for this. This means that this treatment will only be applied when a number of set values are met. This mainly concerns basal cell carcinomas on the nose and around the eyes and ears (called H zone). Beyond that, the somewhat larger basal cell carcinomas, often also with a more aggressive growth pattern, can be treated with Mohs surgery. Relapses (a basal cell carcinoma that has already been removed before but has come back in the same place) and basal cell carcinomas that have not been completely removed with a previous treatment are also treated.
Mohs surgery
In Mohs surgery, the visible skin cancer is cut out with a small margin in a special way. The wound is not closed, but a temporary dressing is applied. The patient takes place in a special waiting room. The excised tissue is processed immediately and can be assessed after 1-2 hours. If the cutting edges are not free, extra tissue will be excised, but only where the tumor is still located. This goes on until all cancer has been removed. Then the wound is closed. The treatment is performed under local anesthesia and you will have to wait in the clinic between rounds. Detailed information on how the Mohs treatment work, you can find a patient leaflet on this page.
Mohs surgery in the Roosevelt kliniek
The medical specialists of the Roosevelt clinic are specialized in skin cancer and skin cancer surgery. The dermatologists are certified Mohs surgeon, 1 of whom is also a Mohs trainer at the LUMC. They have years of experience in the field of dermatosurgery and are also asked for national and international training and conferences in this field. There is good cooperation with the LUMC, if in your case it is necessary for your treatment to take place in the hospital, this will be arranged efficiently.
