Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2018

220 www.MPMcalendar.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com feature experience performing Mohs surgery and post- Mohs reconstruction. The procedure has become the most precise, tissue-sparing method for the treatment of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the most common cancers in the United States. “The goal of Mohs surgery is to remove the entire cancer with the least amount of healthy tissue,” Dr. Schlesinger said. Though more modernized today, Mohs is a technique that has been around for decades. “It was actually discovered by a medical student at the University of Wisconsin in 1938,” Dr. Schlesinger explained. “It’s considered the gold standard when treating invasive skin cancer. And while there are many dermatologists, there are not that many that are fellowship-trained as we are.” In addition to removing smaller amounts of normal tissue, the main difference between Mohs and a regular excision is that the surgeon carries the process from start to finish, adding a layer of precision not possible with other methods. “We not only remove the cancer, but we also examine the tissue in real time and close the resulting defect to preserve the function as well as the cosmetic appearance,” Dr. Schlesinger added. Photos courtesy of Dermatology & Laser Center of Charleston. B eing told you have skin cancer can be truly terrifying. Reaching epidemic proportions in the United States, it is now the most common form of cancer doctors diagnose and treat. The good news is that skin cancer is not a death sentence and has one of the highest cure rates. With significant improvements in early detection, advancements in treatment and specialized care, people are seeing a much better prognosis. Dermatology & Laser Center of Charleston is at the forefront of treating patients who are dealing with this malady. Using a highly precise procedure called Mohs micrographic surgery, Dr. Todd Schlesinger and Dr. Brandon Coakley are providing a service with an impressive cure rate of 99 percent. As founder and medical director of DLCC, Dr. Schlesinger opened the practice in July 2005. A board- certified and cosmetic dermatologist, he has extensive By Diane Pauldine A Successful and Cost-effective Treatment Mohs Micrographic Surgery Dr. Todd Schlesinger ask th experts