Question:

I am a 64 year old male who loves the sun. I have a squamous cell on my cheek close to my eye. What are the advantages and disadvantes of each procedure? Are there other questions I should ask my doctor as I make this decision? Thank you.

Answer:

Advantages of mohs include:

• highest cure rate
• smallest amount of normal tissue removed
• better looking scar compared to ED and C

Disadvantages of mohs: time and cost.

Advantages of ED and C: quick and cheap.

Disadvantages of ED and C: lower cure rate, uglier scar.

If the squamous cell cancer has an “invasive” component I would not ED and C it.

For more information:

Go to the Skin Cancer health topic.