David Weingold at XING
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Now one of the most successful treatments for skin cancer, Mohs micrographic surgery was first developed in the 1930’s, but has recently gained popularity among surgeons for treating a variety of skin cancers.
The surgery involves removing a skin cancer in thin layers that are immediately examined under a microscope. Then another layer is removed and observed. The process is continued until no more cancer cells are found.
The Skin Cancer Foundation asserts a 98% or higher cure rate for Mohs micrographic surgery when used to treat the two most common types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas. In addition to its high success rate, Mohs also has the benefit of preserving the healthy skin around the cancer, which results in good cosmetic appearance with less scarring.
On the downside, Mohs involves a more lengthy and costly procedure, as specialized facilities and surgical training are required. The patient may also need to restrict their activities if a skin graft or flap is necessitated by the surgery.
Mohs was historically ignored as a treatment option for melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. However, it has recently been revisited due to the development of special stains that improve surgeons’ ability to identify the melanoma cells under a microscope.
About the author: Dr. David Weingold is a board certified dermatologist practicing in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He diagnoses and treats a variety of types of skin cancer.
An Interview with Dr. David Weingold on Preventing Skin Cancer
The Friday before Memorial Day was “No Fry Day,” the day designated by the Environmental Protection Agency and dermatologists across the United States as a day on the brink of summer to raise awareness about skin cancer, sun exposure, and ultraviolet radiation. Dr. David Weingold, an Arkansas dermatologist, answered questions about skin protection, risky behaviors, and cancer screening.
Question: What group of people are at the greatest risk for skin cancer?
Dr. Weingold: While skin cancer can strike anyone, those with the palest skin have the greatest risk of developing it. Other groups with a higher than normal risk of developing cancer include those who work outside, those who receive frequent sunburns, and those who use tanning beds.
Question: Why are tanning beds so risky?
Dr. Weingold: A recent study found that people who use tanning beds before the age of 35 are 75 percent more likely to develop a melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, than people who do not use tanning beds. A typical session in a tanning bed delivers as much ultraviolet radiation as an entire day at the beach. In 2009, the World Health Organization declared them a carcinogen for that reason.
Jonesboro, Arkansas dermatologist Dr. David Weingold’s highest priority is to help his patients maintain healthy skin. A diagnosis of skin cancer is one of the most essential reasons to visit a dermatologist like Dr. Weingold. To treat this disease, Dr. Weingold often performs Mohs microscopic surgery.
Mohs surgery provides physicians with a method to excise skin cancer layer by layer. This highly precise technique allows the physician to examine each layer of cells under a microscope after removal until he or she reaches a level where all surrounding tissue is cancer-free. This ensures that the surgical area contains only healthy, non-malignant tissue following the excision.
Doctors typically perform Mohs microscopic surgery as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. Because the procedure involves the precise removal of layers of tissue, followed by pathological examination before moving on, it may take several hours to complete, with the patient resting between each layer. Most procedures are completed in a single day, and patients can return home after the surgery.
Jonesboro, Arkansas dermatologist Dr. David Weingold’s highest priority is to help his patients maintain healthy skin. A diagnosis of skin cancer is one of the most essential reasons to visit a dermatologist like Dr. Weingold. To treat this disease, Dr. Weingold often performs Mohs microscopic surgery.
Mohs surgery provides physicians with a method to excise skin cancer layer by layer. This highly precise technique allows the physician to examine each layer of cells under a microscope after removal until he or she reaches a level where all surrounding tissue is cancer-free. This ensures that the surgical area contains only healthy, non-malignant tissue following the excision.
Doctors typically perform Mohs microscopic surgery as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. Because the procedure involves the precise removal of layers of tissue, followed by pathological examination before moving on, it may take several hours to complete, with the patient resting between each layer. Most procedures are completed in a single day, and patients can return home after the surgery.
Fitness experts and most physicians tout the benefits of exercise for our physical and mental well-being, but in addition to helping our heart, weight, and state of mind, exercise also facilitates clearer, healthier skin.
A solid 20 to 30 minutes of exercise speeds up blood flow, which in turn nourishes skin cells and keeps them at peak health. Blood flow also washes away waste products that cause and exacerbate poor complexions and other skin conditions. Additionally, exercise reduces stress, which functions as a primary contributor to skin problems like acne breakouts.
I recommend taking a few precautions to protect the skin while exercising. For example, going for a run on a warm summer day feels great, but exposes the skin to high levels of sunlight. Simply wear sunscreen or avoid exercising between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the sun’s hottest hours, and wear a sun and clothes to protect the skin while still keeping cool. Also, wear looser clothing to avoid chafing and rashes.
About the Author
Certified by the American Board of Dermatology, David Weingold works with patient to diagnose and treat numerous types of skin cancer.
