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MOHS

mohs surgery from Illinois Dermatologist In the last 30 years, more individuals have been diagnosed with skin cancer than all other forms of cancer combined. With early detection and treatment, most skin cancers are curable using techniques such as Mohs surgery. Dr. Khanna is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology in Mohs micrographic surgery and is now thrilled that he can provide this convenient and precise outpatient treatment method to his patients.

What is Mohs micrographic Surgery?

Mohs surgery is an outpatient surgical method performed under local anesthesia. It is named for Dr. Frederick Mohs, who developed the process in the mid-twentieth century. This technique involves the removal of layers of the affected skin until the tissue no longer contains cancer cells. Mohs is very precise. It can take several hours to map the tumors correctly, but treatment is done while the patient waits. With this procedure, the patient gets pathology results immediately and does not leave the office until all the cancer cells have been removed.

Benefits of Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery is advantageous in treating basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, some melanomas, and other more unusual types of skin cancer.
There are several reasons Mohs surgery should be considered:
  • It is effective for cancers that are large or more aggressive.
  • The precision of this technique allows the removal of cancers that do not have defined borders.
  • The technique preserves healthy tissues for minimal cosmetic impact in areas such as eyelids, ears, nose, mouth, fingertips, or genitals.
  • It has a high success rate for removing cancers that are recurring or have a higher risk of recurrence.
Mohs Surgery Video by Dr. Vic Khanna
Hi, I am Dr. Vic Khanna. I'm a board-certified dermatologist and board-certified MOHS Micrographic surgeon. And I'm here to talk a little bit about MOHS surgery. MOHS surgery is named after Frederick Moss, who came up with the procedure in the 1930s at the University of Wisconsin. This procedure is the optimal surgical procedure for skin cancer removal, especially basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. For these two types of skin cancer in particular, MOHS surgery is a very precise method of removing the cancer, where we remove only the cancerous tissue and we spare all the surrounding skin. It's done in stages, so we take a little bit first and we process that tissue while the patient is waiting. If we need to take more, we go back to the portion where we need to take more and we take a little bit more. This is from a technical perspective, a more optimal way of removing the cancer because it can be mapped thoroughly and it's highly superior to regular excision methods in terms of being able to control the margins. And if we do this most procedure, we can, the whole point of it is to keep the scar as small as possible. Most surgery is usually used in basal cells and squamous cell carcinoma on the face, ears, fingers, toes.
In recent years, guidelines have been laid out for the proper utilization of the Mohs technique. It is not suitable for every skin cancer. Our providers work with Dr. Khanna, our lead dermatologist at Dermatology Specialists of Illinois, and together will determine the best action plan for you and your diagnosis.

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Dermatologist Specialists of Illinois

Dr. Vikram "Vic" Khanna, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist with over 20 years of expertise in dermatology. Educated at Northwestern University and trained at Feinberg School of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University, where he served as Chief Resident, Dr. Khanna combines extensive knowledge with practical skills. He is also board-certified in Mohs micrographic surgery, specializing in skin cancer treatments. Dr. Khanna's authoritative role as a Clinical Instructor at Northwestern University and his dedication to ongoing education underscore his commitment to advancing dermatological care. Known for his compassionate approach, he is trusted by patients and peers alike.   Connect with Dr. Vikram Khanna on Linkedin

Dr. Lauren Boshnick is a skilled dermatologist specializing in skin cancer, acne, psoriasis, and cosmetic dermatology. With an honors degree in Biology from the University of Western Ontario and a medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean, where she graduated salutatorian, Dr. Boshnick has achieved exemplary United States Medical Examination scores and received advanced training at prestigious institutions like Mayo Clinic and Oxford. Her dermatology residency at Florida State University, where she was chief resident, further solidified her expertise. Active in the AAD and dedicated to advancing skin care, Dr. Boshnick brings her extensive experience and passion for dermatology to the Northwest Suburbs community.   Connect with Dr. Lauren Boshnick on Linkedin

Dr. David Othman is a board-certified dermatologist and micrographic dermatologic surgeon with over a decade of experience in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. He holds a B.S. in Microbiology and an M.H.S.A. from the University of Michigan, as well as an M.D. from Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he received the Award for Excellence in Dermatology. Dr. Othman completed his dermatology training at Indiana University, serving as Chief Resident. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. Known for his commitment to patient care and trust, Dr. Othman actively contributes to the field through teaching and research.