Seven of our dermatologists are qualified to practice Mohs micrographic surgery by having met high standards established for fellow membership in the American Society of Mohs Surgery. Carl Bigler, M.D. is also a Board Certified Dermatopathologist.
They surgically excise dangerous head and neck cancers daily using the Mohs Micrographic Surgery technique which is the most advanced and effective treatment procedure for skin cancer available today.
Because each physician is specially trained in surgery, pathology, and reconstruction, Mohs surgery has the highest success rate of all treatments for skin cancer – up to 99 percent.
The Mohs technique is also the treatment of choice for cancers of the face and other sensitive areas as it relies on the accuracy of a microscopic surgical procedure to trace the edges of the cancer and ensure complete removal of all tumors down to the roots during the initial surgery.
For more information about Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery, which our qualified physicians perform daily, please go to: www.mohssurgery.org or www.mohscollege.org.
Furthermore, Northern Arizona Dermatology Center is equipped with its own histopathology lab and full time laboratory staff to ensure timely results on both routine biopsies and Mohs surgical specimens.
Skin Cancer
Early detection is valuable in successfully treating skin cancer. Therefore, regular full body screenings are recommended. A biopsy may be performed at the time of visit to properly diagnose suspected cancerous growths.
Skin cancer can often be identified as a new or changing growth. It may arise anywhere, even on sun protected skin. The appearance of the growth depends on the type of cancer, but can appear as a:
- Pearly or waxy bump
- Flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
- Firm, red nodule
- Crusted, flat lesion
- Large brown spot with darker speckles
- Mole that changes shape or color
- Shiny, firm bumps