MOHS Surgery

Here at Northshore Dermatology, we pride ourselves on being one of the few practices that performs MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Hammond Louisiana, MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Madisonville Louisiana. Yearly full-body exams are crucial for a multitude of reasons: early detection of skin cancer which is highly treatable; base line monitoring for future skin conditions; allows for a personalized skin care routine; and it allows for screenings for other conditions.

Yearly full-body exams help bring attention to moles, also known as nevi, that can appear anywhere on the body. While most moles are harmless, some can be cancerous and lead to melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer).

At Northshore Dermatology, we are delighted to have Dr. Pate on staff as our dual board-certified Dermatologist and MOHS Surgeon to treat skin cancers locally in our community. The need for a trusted expertise with MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Hammond Louisiana, MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Madisonville Louisiana is crucial as skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in America today. There are more new cases of skin cancer each year than all other forms of cancer combined. Dr. Pate completed dermatology residency at Texas Tech University Health Science Center and MOHS fellowship at the University of Washington studying skin cancer characteristics, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment. Dr. Pate uses a variety of techniques for the treatment of skin cancer including curettage, excision, and MOHS surgery based on the cancer type, location, and aggressiveness.

MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Hammond Louisiana, MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Madisonville Louisiana is used for the treatment of aggressive skin cancers and for those cancers in high risk or sensitive locations. This technique allows for the precise identification and removal of the entire tumor while leaving the surrounding healthy tissue intact by progressively removing thin layers of cancerous tissue and examining them under the microscope until clearance of the cancer has been achieved. MOHS surgery also offers the highest potential cure rate and can even be used if your skin cancer fails treatment by other methods. Published cure rates for MOHS surgery are 99% for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma making MOHS surgery the gold standard in skin cancer therapy. If you have any questions about your options for skin cancer treatment, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We perform MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Hammond Louisiana, MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Madisonville Louisiana and at our Slidell, Louisiana and Picayune, Mississippi office locations.

What can be expected on the day of your MOHS surgery:

Please come to your appointment expecting to be with us for several hours. Our staff works diligently to make sure the process is as comfortable as possible. Once the area has been numbed locally, Dr. Pate will remove the specimen. The specimen are taken layer-by-layer and then brought to the lab for examination until no cancer cells remain. Many cases are cleared on the first pass, but some cases need multiple rounds to achieve clearance. Please bring a good book/magazine to help pass the time and make sure your phone is fully charged.

After the cancer has been cleared, most patients have the areas reconstructed the same day, and some are left to granulate over time. The way the wound is closed can be dependent on many factors like location and size. The site can then be closed with complex repairs that can involve deeper sutures; involving critical anatomical areas such as: the helical rim (outer ear), nostril rim, or vermilion border (lip line); a process that creates a flap of skin that can be pulled over the wound called extensive undermining; and/or the placement of retention sutures.

Wound care instructions will be discussed with you depending on the type of repair and written instructions will also be provided. Follow-up visits will be set up to remove sutures and to monitor the cosmetic and functional outcome.

A good way to prevent developing skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma is by using sunscreen. This helps significantly reduce the risk by about 40% to 50% while also protecting your skin from sun damage caused by UV rays.

Extended exposure to UV rays damages your skin cells’ DNA. This is because the damaged DNA reproduces quickly and uncontrollably which leads to cancer. The cancer actually starts at the top layer of skin. Sun damage can lead to age spots, wrinkles and sun spots. You should apply sunscreen indoors and on cloudy days. A sunburn is the first sign of damage with tanned skin being the second. Even a mild sunburn can lead to skin cancer and premature aging.

While age does play a factor in who is most likely to develop, that is not the only factor. The rates in older people is higher, fair skinned individuals are also at a higher risk because they tend to get sunburns easier.

Other ways to prevent skin cancer are to seek shade rather than full sun, cover up with loose-fitting long-sleeved and avoid indoor tanning.

Warning signs to look out for:

asymmetrical lesions – one half does not match the other half
borders – ragged, blurred or notched boarders
color – the color is not the same across the whole lesion
diameter – this is marked as changing in size
evolving – this is changing in size, color and shape

Come speak to our providers today for your skin evaluation today!

Here at Northshore Dermatology, we know the impact that dermatologic services have on confidence and its profundity of its role on our health. We are passionate and here to help you feel like your best self. Please contact us if you are in need of any MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Hammond Louisiana, MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Madisonville Louisiana, MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Slidell Louisiana, or MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Picayune Mississippi, please contact any of our locations nearest to you:

MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Hammond Louisiana — 985.340.4198
MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Madisonville Louisiana — 985.792.5959
MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Slidell Louisiana — 985.641.5198
MOHS Micrographic Surgery for Dermatologists in Picayune Mississippi — 601.749.9500