Mohs: What’s Next?
- Posted on: Jun 15 2017
If the time you had spent in the summer sun during your youth has come back to haunt you in the worst possible way, you may wonder if skin cancer is going to be a concern for the rest of your life. It is not uncommon for a person who has been treated for skin cancer to continually worry about their long-term health. Why? A little thing called recurrence.
Once you have heard that diagnosis, skin cancer, your life may feel forever altered. Your fears are not unfounded, but they should be brought into the open. Your West Yorkshire dermatologist is your support system after a skin cancer diagnosis, even after treatment for the original problem. The question about recurrence is a good one, and it is one that should be discussed so you can provide yourself with the best dermatologic care in the future.
There are several factors involved in skin cancer recurrence, as well as the development of new skin cancers. One of the factors that people may not consider is skin cancer type. Studies do indicate a substantially higher risk for secondary skin cancer after an initial diagnosis. This information is not intended to be frightening. It is necessary to understand risk to also understand the need for routine skin cancer screenings. This is true even if Mohs micrographic surgery is the selected method of care.
Some Interesting Details
When we look at various types of skin cancer, we see:
- The chance of recurrence for basal cell carcinoma relates directly to the type of treatment obtained for the initial skin cancer. If standard excision is performed, there is just over a 10 percent chance of recurrence. Mohs patients have less than 1 percent risk of recurrence within 5 years.
- Natural redheads are naturally at a higher risk for future skin cancers, including recurrence.
- New squamous cell carcinomas may develop in the area of an initial skin cancer due to similar UV damage in surrounding skin. Careful monitoring should continue for 2 years after an initial diagnosis.
- A melanoma diagnosis presents a future risk for all types of skin cancer, including additional melanomas. Remember, though; early treatment means the possibility of 100% cure.
Discover more about your skin. Schedule a skin cancer screening and consultation in one of our West Yorkshire offices.
Posted in: Mohs Surgery, Skin Cancer
