Press release - 22 September 2011
Gold standard treatment for skin cancer brings hope to UK
patients
Mohs micrographic surgery treatment for skin cancer shows
exceptional success rates
Experts at The London Clinic, the UK’s largest independent
hospital, claim that Mohs micrographic surgery, a highly
specialised treatment for skin cancer, reduces recurrence rates to
less than 1% in some forms of the disease.
With a cure rate of over 99% for basal cell carcinoma (the
commonest type of skin cancer) and a reduced recurrence rate at 5
years to less than 1%, the Mohs technique is considered to be the
gold standard treatment, providing many patient benefits over
conventional treatments.
Essentially, Mohs surgery offers greater precision with a
smaller area of healthy skin removed during the procedure - a
benefit that is particularly important when dealing with
cosmetically sensitive areas on the face.
The highly accurate procedure requires removing the cancer in
stages, layer by layer with a small sharp scalpel. The margin of
healthy skin affected is between 1 – 1.5mm, significantly less than
the standard option of between 4 – 6 mm.
Once the first layer of tissue has been removed, the
dermatologist then immediately examines the sample under a
microscope – unlike standard procedures where the sample would
usually be sent away for testing by a pathologist. This allows the
dermatologist to return to the patient to remove the next layer
should any traces of cancer still be visible. The process is
repeated until the skin is completely free of the diseased
area.
Dr Conal Perrett, Consultant Dermatologist at The London Clinic
comments: ‘With skin cancer on the rise in the UK, it is becoming
increasingly important that highly effective treatments such as
Mohs surgery are made more widely available. Furthermore, because
the procedure is tissue sparing, it has the added advantage of
causing less scarring, producing a better cosmetic outcome. This is
especially important for skin cancers of the face.’
He adds; “Currently in the UK there are less than 100
consultants trained in this technique and thus it is not widely
offered as a treatment option. It is therefore important that
healthcare professionals as well as patients are informed about
this option and it is considered as a possible treatment.”
Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Edward Seaton, also specialises in
Mohs surgery and explains why the technique offers such a high
success rate. “Conventional skin cancer surgery removes a larger
area of healthy tissue. This is done because normal processing only
samples a very small proportion of the specimen so that tumour can
sometimes be missed and left behind in the wound. In Mohs surgery
the tumour is removed layer by layer and critically the whole edge
of the specimen is assessed so a smaller amount of healthy tissue
can be removed and the cure rate is very high. Mohs surgeons often
work closely with reconstructive plastic surgeons and oculoplastic
surgeons who may undertake repair of the complex defects after Mohs
surgery.”
In 2011, 100,000 people will be diagnosed with non-melanoma skin
cancer in the UK, a number set to rise up to 25% year on year. With
so many people suffering from the disease, the Mohs treatment
offers an improved outcome - cosmetically and medically - and is
available both privately and on the NHS.
Malcolm Miller, Chief Executive of The London Clinic says: ‘We
are extremely pleased to be able to provide this highly specialised
treatment. With such promising success rates and patient benefits,
the Clinic prides itself on being able to offer the most advanced
and up to date treatments and delivering the best patient
experience we possibly can.’
-END-
For more information about The London Clinic and the Mohs
service, please call the press office on 020 8786 3860 or pressoffice@thelondonclinic.co.uk