Experienced Mohs Surgeon for Green Bay Patients
Choose a care provider who prioritizes your best interests and offers compassionate, personalized care when Mohs surgery has been recommended to treat your skin cancer.
Dr. Burt Steffes is a board-certified dermatologist with clinics in Fond du Lac and West Bend, WI who specializes in performing Mohs surgery to remove skin cancer. Dr. Steffes sees patients in Appleton, De Pere, Wrightstown and across the Green Bay area. With specialized training in Mohs procedures and over a decade of professional experience, Dr. Steffes is ready to help you achieve the best possible results in the fight against skin cancer.
What is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient surgery used to remove skin cancer from the body. Mohs surgery involves removing a thin layer of skin from the affected area and placing it under a microscope to test for cancer cells before removing and testing another layer. Mohs surgery is recognized as the gold standard in treating basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
When a layer of skin is tested and no cancer cells remain, the surgery is complete. By removing skin cells from the affected area one layer at a time, the surgeon prevents unnecessary scarring and maximizes the preservation of healthy skin.
Why is it Called Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery is named after Dr. Frederic Mohs, who invented the surgery at the University of Wisconsin and began performing the procedure on patients in 1936.
Top 5 Benefits of Mohs Surgery for Green Bay Patients
Mohs surgery is a highly effective and preferred approach to treating skin cancers.
- Mohs has the highest cure rate (95-99%) of any skin cancer treatment.
- Only local anesthesia is needed.
- The surgeon preserves as much healthy tissue as possible.
- Most patients only require a single visit to remove their skin cancer.
- Results are precise.
Visit the Dermatology & Cosmetic Physicians for a Mohs Surgery Consultation - South of Green Bay
When you’re ready to make a plan to address your specific skin cancer case, call Dr. Steffes at Dermatology & Cosmetic Physicians for a Mohs surgery consultation. During your consultation, we will gather all relevant information such as your health history, and, if applicable to you, we’ll discuss potential side effects to watch for following your Mohs surgery and any necessary details for post-operative care.
Early detection and treatment are keys to increasing your chance of successful skin cancer removal. Call today to schedule your Mohs surgery consultation with Dr. Steffes at our Fond du Lac or West Bend, WI dermatology clinic.
FAQ
Can Mohs Surgery Be Performed For Melanoma?
If melanoma is caught early enough, Mohs surgery can sometimes be employed as a treatment. The melanoma most commonly addressed with Mohs is lentigo maligna melanoma.
How Long Does Mohs Surgery Take?
Mohs surgery can take anywhere from a few hours to an entire day. Since an exact timeline cannot be confirmed ahead of time, allow the whole day for your surgery. Some patients bring a book, a tablet, an activity or light work to stay busy during tissue processing times.
What Types of Skin Cancer is Mohs Used For?
Mohs is most often performed to remove basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and large, aggressive or recurring cancers on areas of the skin with little underlying tissue, such as the:
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nose
- Lips
- Neck
- Fingers
- Genitals
- Scalp
- Toes
By minimizing scarring and skin removal in sensitive or highly visible areas, Mohs surgery preserves the integrity of surrounding skin and yields the most aesthetically desirable results.
Mohs Surgery Cost
The cost of Mohs surgery varies based on your insurance, the provider, the extent of your procedure and other factors. Given the low recurrence rate of skin cancers following Mohs surgery and no need for general anesthesia or the intervention of multiple practitioners, many patients find Mohs surgery to be a cost-effective skin cancer treatment option. Mohs is covered by most insurance plans.