FAQs about gold standard treatment for many skin cancers at your specialty dermatology clinic

We know you have many exceptional dermatology clinics to choose from in Aurora and the greater Denver, Colorado area. However, clinics vary in their expertise, services, and capabilities. At Beyond Skin Dermatology, our founder and Board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Sang Kim, is known for and has a particular passion in preventing, detecting, and treating skin cancers. Fittingly, we are pleased to provide the “gold standard” treatment for the most common skin cancers — basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas (BCCs and SCCs).

What is this preferred treatment?

We work with Dr. Maggie Kober, a Board-certified dermatologist and Mohs Micrographic Surgeon. Mohs surgery, which is named after the specialist who developed it in the 1930s, has a “cure” rate of up to 99% for primary/non-recurrent SCCs and BCCs.

Why does it have such a high success rate?

One word: precision. Dr. Kober has advanced training and experience in surgically removing cancerous cells gradually and layer by layer until no cells are present when viewed under a microscope. This approach helps to minimize the risk of any cancer being left behind and is also highly “tissue-sparing.” We only remove the cancerous tissue and don’t cut out more tissue than is needed (or otherwise healthy tissue).

How does it work?

The process starts by anesthetizing or numbing the area to be treated. Once you are fully numb, Dr. Kober applies her exacting surgical techniques and instruments to remove a thin layer of tissue at the site where the cancer has been identified. We then immediately analyze that bit of tissue under the microscope. If we don’t see any cancer cells, no more excision is required. However, if cancer cells remain, we repeat the process of removing another layer of tissue and analyzing that sample under the microscope. We continue to repeat this step until no cancer is left. As needed, the wound left behind is reconstructed in a way that supports optimal healing and the best cosmetic results.

Is it just for BCCs/SCCs?

No. Many different skin cancers can be treated in a minimally invasive and predictably effective way with Mohs. You may be a good candidate for MMS if your cancer is:

  • In a highly visible area where tissue preservation is essential, for instance, on the face
  • In a “functionally important” area where, again, tissue-sparing techniques are required, for example, on the hands and feet
  • Recurrent and has come back after being previously treated (its cure rate is up to 94% for these cancers)
  • Uniquely challenging; for instance, it may be growing at an aggressive rate, have ill-defined borders, be located in or near scar tissue

MMS may also be recommended when other treatment methods have failed.

What can I expect after treatment?

It’s important to maintain follow-up visits well into the future, even after the treatment site has fully healed. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that ~60% of people who have been diagnosed with skin cancer will be diagnosed with a second one in 10 years. Dr. Kim cannot overemphasize the importance of consistent and proper sun protection and periodic screenings to support early detection.

Following a skin cancer diagnosis, there is hope for sustained skin health and overall health. To find out more about your options for treatment, contact Beyond Skin Dermatology right away. To request an appointment at our Denver, CO area office in Aurora, call us at (720) 213-4679 today.