Mohs Surgeryin Calgary

Mohs micrographic surgery is the gold standard for treating many forms of skin cancer. The tumour is removed one thin layer at a time, and each layer is analyzed immediately, until no cancer cells remain.

Refined over decades, the technique offers high cure rates and favourable cosmetic outcomes.

The three most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Effective treatment exists for basal and squamous cell carcinoma, and even for early-stage melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

Traditional treatment

Wide local excision is the most common and accessible approach. The surgeon removes the visible tumour with a margin of surrounding skin, then sends it to a pathology lab. Confirmation that the tumour was completely removed can take several weeks.

Mohs surgery

With Mohs, thin layers of skin are removed one at a time and analyzed immediately. The surgeon continues only until no cancer cells are detected.

Access to Mohs surgery

Mohs is widely recognized as the preferred treatment for many skin cancers, yet there are fewer than 30 Mohs surgeons in Canada, which limits access and lengthens wait times.

Dr. Guo is board-certified in Canada and the US and has 16 years of post-secondary education. He has received surgical and cosmetic training at more than 15 prestigious institutions in Canada, the US, and Asia.

He is a fellowship-accredited Mohs surgeon with expert knowledge on facial anatomy and surgical reconstruction. Dr. Guo brings an exceptional understanding of medical and cosmetic dermatology and many years of extensive experience to his practice.

Mohs surgery offers five main advantages:

• Complete removal. Each layer is checked for cancer cells as it is removed, so all traces of cancer are more likely to be detected and cleared.
• Preserves healthy tissue. Precise removal and immediate analysis mean less healthy skin is taken, which helps the cosmetic result.
• Efficient. Usually performed in the office, the procedure typically takes two to four hours, including the wait for lab results between layers.
• Local anesthetic. The area is numbed with an injection, so most patients feel little discomfort.
• High success rates. For basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer, cure rates are up to 99% for tumours not previously treated and up to 94% for those that have recurred. Cure rates vary by tumour type.

Fellowship training for Mohs surgery

Dr. Guo is a double board-certified dermatologist with fellowship training in Mohs micrographic surgery, an additional step open only to board-certified dermatologists after their specialist training.

Mohs surgeons are rigorously trained in facial anatomy and facial surgery. That understanding of the facial bones, muscles, fat pads, nerves and blood vessels informs every procedure Dr. Guo performs, from skin cancer surgery and reconstruction to cosmetic treatments.

Dr. Guo is a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon caring for patients in Calgary and Edmonton at one of Canada’s largest Mohs surgical centres.

By checking as he goes, he maximizes the chance of clearing the cancer. By removing only what is necessary, he limits the scope of surgery, which helps the cosmetic outcome.

Dr. Guo is committed to compassionate care and patient education. Connect with our team at Rejuvenation Calgary North to learn more about Mohs surgery.

Further reading: Mohs surgery: the gold standard for skin cancer treatment

Visit our brand new state-of-the-art facility with top-of-the-line and cutting-edge technologies and equipment, and a full spectrum of medical, surgical, cosmetic, and laser dermatology.

You can count on knowledgeable staff and easy parking; please contact the clinic for current appointment availability. Our facility is one of the largest Mohs Surgical Suites in Canada.