News

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Aug 06, 2019

Cairns specialist services continues to grow with the single most effective skin cancer surgical treatment commencing this week at Cairns Day Surgery.

Named after its inventor Dr Frederick Mohs from Wisconsin USA, Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a highly specialised treatment for the total removal of skin cancers. Essentially, it is a technique that allows the surgeon to histologically test the edges of the excision on the day of surgery, while the patient waits. Any residual areas still positive for cancer are identified and subsequently removed. This process continues until all the cancer cells are cleared and offers the highest chance of cure rate first time of the most common skin cancers (over 99% success rate), whilst ensuring healthy skin around the tumour and minimal scarring. Analysis of the excised tumour onsite immediately following excision means completeness of removal can be confirmed within 30 minutes.

Dr Simon Tucker is the only Australasian College of Dermatologists Approved Mohs Micrographic Surgeon North of Brisbane, making him one of the most remote Mohs Surgeons in the world. Patients can now be treated from Townsville, Mt Isa, Darwin and even as far as PNG and Torres Strait Islands.

“I am delighted with our continued expansion of specialist services to the region, negating the need for patients to fly to Brisbane for surgery”, Cairns Private Hospital CEO, Ben Tooth said.