409 - MOHS Surgery

JANUARY 2018 | The Surgical Technologist | 15 MohsSurgery L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S s Learn about the three main types of skin cancers s Identify the areas most commonly affected by these types of cancer s Review the procedural steps required for both phases of this operation s List the different types of closures that may be performed during Mohs surgery s Recall how this type of procedure earned its name Ashley Adams , cst S K I N C A N C E R S T here are three main types of skin cancers: basal cell carci- noma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are categorized as non-mel- anoma skin cancers. The deadliest form of skin cancer is melanoma, resulting in an estimated 9,730 deaths in 2017. 1 Skin cancer typically arises from exposure to sun or UV light, with tanning beds being a large contributor. Basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer, accounts for 80% of all skin cancers that are commonly diagnosed. It is usually found on the head, ears, face, shoulders and chest, or any other sun- exposed areas of the body. They may appear as a shiny bump or as an irritated, reddened area of the skin. Basal cell carcinoma does not spread anywhere else in the body, but when left untreated, it can result Skin cancer will affect one in five Americans in their lifetime. Non-mel- anoma skin cancers affect more than 3.3 million people each year and an estimated 87,110 people will have been diagnosed with melanoma in 2017. Skin cancers are primarily removed by two surgical techniques: re- excision with clinical margins and Mohs micrographic surgery. These pro- cedures can be performed in the hospital operating room under general anesthesia, but are most commonly done in an ambulatory surgical center or office setting using a local anesthetic. This article will discuss the dif- ferences in skin cancers, detail the Mohs procedure and identify the role of the Certified Surgical Technologist for this surgery.