When Thirroul resident Edward Clarke had four skin cancers excised recently, he knew he was cancer-free by the time he walked out the door.
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The 70-year-old was one of the first patients to undergo a unique skin cancer treatment through Figtree and Wollongong Private Hospital.
Named after the US surgeon who invented it, Frederic E Mohs, the surgery has been described as a game changer by dermatologists.
It allows a specialist to remove a skin cancer in stages, using a microscope to examine the tissue for cancer cells as they go.
This 'real time' pathology means that they can completely remove cancerous cells, while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
It also means patients like Mr Clarke don't have an anxious wait for results, and the chance that they could have to return for a further procedure.
"The procedure is particularly suitable for areas that are difficult to get to," he said.
"I had four - two on each side around my ears, and two close to my eye.
"They were able to take them out, and test them there and then - that was the beauty of it.
"I didn't have to wait to get the all-clear, and I knew I wouldn't have to have to come back for further treatment."
Consultation for Mohs surgery is now available for private, and public, patients at Integrated Specialist Healthcare at Figtree Private Hospital - while surgery takes place at Wollongong Private.
Plastic surgeon Professor Anand Deva said previously patients had to travel to Miranda or Sydney for the treatment.
"Australia has one of the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, due to the climate," he said. "With most skin cancers you can see externally where the cancer ends, and you can remove it.
"However with the nasty ones, the roots may extend under the skin. As a surgeon you might think you have it all, but then the pathology results will come back showing that more tissue needs to be taken."
Professor Deva said the Mohs technique was done under local anaesthetic by specialist doctors, trained in both dermatology and pathology. They removed layers of the skin until there were no cancer cells left.
This is the only skin cancer removal where cancerous tissue is examined in real time.
- Plastic surgeon, Professor Anand Deva
"This is the only skin cancer removal where cancerous tissue is examined in real time," he said.
The technique - often used on delicate areas, such as lips, eyelids, fingers and ears - minimises scarring.
"Once the cancer is cleared, a reconstructive surgeon fixes up the hole where the cancer has been," Professor Deva said.
"Because the technique means you're not sacrificing good tissue, it makes reconstruction really easy."
Professor Deva said treatment for skin cancer was often "fragmented" in Australia - this new centre enabled people to see GPs, specialists and surgeons under one roof.
"The most important message is 'don't take your skin for granted, get it checked'."
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