Welcome to the Mohs Clinic
AT DISCOVER LASER ~ BURNLEY ~ LANCASHIRE
Mohs surgery is the most effective technique for treating skin cancers
The chance of developing a non-melanoma skin cancer such as basal cell (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is about one in five. Caused by exposure to sunlight, they are most commonly found on the head and neck and require swift diagnosis and removal.
We are proud to offer Mohs surgery, the gold standard for high-risk non-melanoma skin cancers at our clinic in Burnley, Lancashire
Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique performed by our resident Consultant Dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeons, Dr Arif Aslam and Dr Faisal Ali. Done in stages, including lab work, while our patients wait, all cancerous cells are removed, while healthy tissue is left untouched, leaving the smallest possible scar.
Mohs surgery has the lowest recurrence rates, highest cure rates and best cosmetic results of any skin cancer treatment
Five steps to cancer-free skin
Step one
PREPARATION
After an initial consultation and diagnosis, you will come to the clinic for surgery. Your Mohs surgeon will numb the area to be treated with local anaesthetic.
Step two
LAYER 1 REMOVAL
A thin layer of tissue is precisely removed. While you relax in recovery, this is processed and then analysed under the microscope by your Mohs surgeon to assess if all of the cancerous cells have been removed.
Step three
LAYER 2 REMOVAL
If any residual cancer cells are seen, these are mapped and then removed only from the areas that are positive.
This stage is repeated until no further cancer cells remain.
Step four
SKIN REPAIR
Once all cancer cells are removed, your Mohs surgeon will immediately repair the treated area. This is done with great care and surgical skill so you are left with the smallest possible scar.
Step five
GO HOME
Immediately after treatment, you will be given after-care instructions, a follow-up appointment will be booked and you will be able to go home.
Dr Aslam’s patient with BCC – white outline shows total area requiring removal
Reconstructed area five days after Mohs surgery
One month after Mohs surgery
Eight months after Mohs surgery
On the day of my operation the facilities at the clinic at Discover Laser were first class. I had a dedicated surgical team who stayed with me for the duration of the operation.
My post operative care was also excellent and within 2 weeks of the procedure my appearance was back to normal.
Discover Laser Patient
Mohs Surgery from
- Discover Laser is the surgical clinic of Dr Aslam and Dr Ali, they may consult with you elsewhere
Mohs Surgery
Mohs is a specialised surgical technique used to completely remove skin cancer cells while sparing as much healthy skin as possible.
Mohs surgery is highly effective at removing skin cancer because the edges of the removed cancer tissue are checked much more thoroughly under the microscope than with regular surgery.
In addition to being effective, the Mohs procedure allows the surgeon to leave behind normal skin and remove less healthy tissue.
Mohs surgery is not necessary for all skin cancers, but it is useful when:
- The location of the skin cancer is near areas that are important for daily activities, like the fingers, or for appearance, like the mouth, eyes or nose.
- Earlier treatments have not worked.
- A tumour is large.
- Regular surgery is less likely to remove the cancer
What it treats
Because of its high cure rate, Mohs surgery is recommended as the best treatment for anyone with high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancers (BCCs and SCCs), including:
- Basal cell cancers that have recurred after removal or have not been completely removed
- Basal cell cancers that have previously been treated with other treatment modalities, including creams or radiotherapy
- Tumours in critical anatomical locations such as near the eyes, lips, ears or nose.
Treatment procedure
Step 1: Preparation
After an initial consultation and diagnosis, you will come to the clinic for surgery. Your Mohs surgeon will numb the area to be treated with local anaesthetic so you will be awake during treatment.
Step 2: Layer 1 Removal
A thin layer of tissue is precisely removed. While you relax in recovery, this is processed and then analysed under the microscope by your Mohs surgeon to assess if all of the cancerous cells have been removed.
Step 3: Layer 2 Removal
If any residual cancer cells are seen, they are mapped and then removed only from the areas that are positive.
This stage is repeated until no further cancer cells remain.
Step 4: Skin Repair
Once all cancer cells are removed, your Mohs surgeon will immediately repair the treated area, using stitches where necessary. This is done with great care and surgical skill so you are left with the smallest possible scar. You will have a dressing to cover the treated area.
Step 5: Go Home
Immediately after treatment, you will be given after-care instructions, a follow-up appointment will be booked and you will be able to go home. At your follow-up appointment, your wound will be checked, and any stitches will be removed.
Sometimes called Mohs Micrographic surgery, Mohs surgery is done in stages, including lab work, while the patient waits. This allows the removal of all cancerous cells for the highest cure rate while sparing healthy tissue and leaving the smallest possible scar.
It began as a technique called chemosurgery, developed by Frederic E. Mohs, MD, in the late 1930s.
Because of its high cure rate, Mohs surgery is recommended as the best treatment for anyone with high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancers (BCCs and SCCs), including:
- Basal cell cancers that have recurred after removal or have not been completely removed
- Basal cell cancers that have previously been treated with other treatment modalities, including creams or radiotherapy
- Tumours in critical anatomical locations such as near the eyes, lips, ears or nose
Mohs surgery is the gold standard for treating many basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), including those in cosmetically and functionally important areas around the eyes, nose, lips, ears, scalp, fingers, toes or genitals.
Mohs is also recommended for BCCs or SCCs that are large, aggressive or growing rapidly, that have indistinct edges or have recurred after previous treatment. Some surgeons are also successfully using Mohs surgery on certain cases of melanoma.
Because it involves a special multi-step process, Mohs surgery is typically slightly more expensive than other skin cancer treatments. However, because of its high success rate, most patients require only a single surgery with an all-in-one fee. Other methods might require additional surgeries and pathology, which incur additional fees.
At your initial consultation, we will provide you with a detailed treatment plan and price.
Our clinic is Health Insurance registered with the major health insurance companies including Bupa, Axa, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, Helix, Benenden, Exeter
Yes, Mohs is available on the NHS, but only in certain hospitals and not in this region.
Mohs surgery is covered by all insurance plans, but please always check with your provider.
The risks for this type of surgery are the same for any procedure. You may get a little bleeding from the wound and infection can occasionally happen. Nerves sometimes are involved with the cancerous area and so rarely you may get numbness around the scar or the muscles may not move in the same way.
The wound will need to be repaired, so you will have a scar, but this will be as small as possible.
The cancer may recur in the same site but this is extremely unusual.
As with all surgical procedures, there is the potential for some degree of visible scarring. The appearance of a post-Mohs surgical scar will depend on several factors, including the size and location of the treated area, individual skin characteristics, and the reconstruction options available.
The tissue-sparing nature of the Mohs technique generally results in a smaller, less noticeable scar than other skin cancer removal methods. Your surgeon may also be able to incorporate suture lines into the natural skin lines and folds to minimise visible scarring.
Most scars improve in appearance naturally over time, and scar improvement treatments are available in our clinic.
Until your surgeon sees you at your consultation it is difficult to predict exactly how long your Mohs surgery will take, however, the entire procedure usually lasts several hours. Once your surgeon has a clear understanding of your unique situation, he will be able to clearly estimate the time your surgery will take.
Immediately after treatment, you will be given after-care instructions, a follow-up appointment will be booked, and you will be able to go home.
If a change of dressing is required before your follow-up, a Practice Nurse or District Nurse at your local GP surgery could do this for you.
At your follow-up appointment, any stitches will be removed, and your wound will be checked.
- After the local anaesthetic has worn off (2-3 hours approx.), the area will be painful, and we recommend taking Paracetamol for a few days.
- You may experience some bruising and swelling; this should settle down within a few days but may last longer.
- Your surgeon may prescribe antibiotics for you to take after your procedure.
Mohs surgery is the gold standard treatment for skin cancers on the head and neck and offers the highest cure rate. Our surgeons are experienced specialist dermatologists and trained Mohs surgeons, having performed thousands of surgeries.
I have had a lot of Basel cell skin cancer tumours over the last 8 years. Until very recently I have had the tumours removed at my local Hospitals in Lancashire. Unfortunately a large majority of the tumours have reappeared, because the method of removal didn’t capture all of the cancer cells, hence their reappearance, with the obvious concerns and stresses involved along with the frustration of getting a new tumour removed from the original site.
After doing research not only on Discover Laser and Dr Aslam and importantly on the MOHS Surgery that Dr Aslam employs, I booked an initial consultation to discuss everything about what I have had done over the years but also what I needed to be done straight away.
From my initial contact with Discover Laser, through to my consultation with Dr Aslam and subsequent removal of 4 tumours (all on my face and scalp!) I have to say the professionalism and care from Dr Aslam and Gill and all of her staff has been outstanding, the treatment I received was first class and I can certainly now relax knowing the 99.9% success rate means I won’t have to go through everything again like I had to on the NHS.
This type of surgery ought to be available in all areas of the UK, unfortunately it isn’t. Of course being private treatment it is at a cost, with it being Cancer that’s involved I made the decision to get it done with the virtual guarantee I only have it done once. After 11 separate instances of skin cancer I am obviously prone to getting them, I can say to anyone reading this don’t hesitate to at least have a consultation and go from there.”
Clive Richards – Google 5 star review, November 2021
I can honestly say , me and my husband have never experienced such amazing care and service than what we did here!
My husband was booked in with Dr Aslam for Mohs surgery to remove some Basel cell carcinoma (skin cancer). Obviously a terrifying time for us both but everyone at discover laser looked after us to the highest standard!
Nothing is too much and they made a horrific time as pain free and relaxed as possible!
Gill you are an angel and thank you so much for supporting not just my husband but also me throughout the day and Dr Aslam – AMAZING, he is a master at what he does but also does it with such care and empathy putting my husband at ease the whole time! Honestly cannot thank the whole team enough!
WORLD CLASS SERVICE!!!!!
Facebook review 22.08.21
The whole experience I received was absolutely excellent, the nurses that were with me throughout their professionalism and care were second to none. With you Dr Ali the care I received I felt completely at ease from start to finish. I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for everything you did for me that day, also the clinic was excellent.
If you are are looking for a great dermatologist, look no further than Dr Arif Aslam who has a way of making you feel as though you are his only patient, he takes time and listens to all of your concerns. He is very thorough and extremely professional. The staff at Discover Laser are are courteous and kind and made the whole experience a pleasure.
Thank you, Dr Aslam!! I have skin checks each year. But I also check myself between visits. Thankfully I do as Dr Arif Aslam had to remove an SCC from my forehead via MOHS Surgery. I had read a lot, seen the many disturbing photos, and joined a bunch of online groups to ask Qs. But it was my time and experience with Dr Aslam that was of most importance. Dr Aslam is a rockstar and such a caring doctor. Right from our first appointment he set me at ease, was funny, and clearly super duper smart and experienced. I went into MOHS a few days later with absolutely no fear. The most important thing for me was getting the cancer out of my body. And I knew that Dr Aslam would take care of business. In fact, the entire team were amazing. So kind and attentive, with clean and well-cared for facilities. I knew I was in great hands. He got it all out in 1 pass, gave me 9 dissolvable stitches inside & 13 gorgeous stitches outside. I had barely any swelling thanks to a strong regimen of icing and sleeping upright. I couldn’t care less about a scar. It’s better than the alternative. But wow Dr Aslam is known as the MOHS doctor who could also be a plastic surgeon for a reason! I’m so happy with the result and healing so far. And for certain if I’m unlucky enough to need MOHS again, I hope I’m lucky enough to see Dr Aslam!
Doctify verified patient 09-05-2021
I am most grateful to Dr Arif Aslam. He removed two BCC’s – one from my ear and one from above the top of my lip in two separate day surgeries. Could not have wished for better outcomes. Dr Aslam has a wonderful manner and exhibits professionalism of the highest level.
Doctify verified patient 25-04-2021
Dr Arif Aslam is a well qualified and professional dermatologist. He removed a BCC from my temple. I am happy with the Mohs surgery he performed and the post surgery care. Would highly recommend Dr Aslam. Thank you Dr Aslam.
Doctify verified patient 17-04-2021
I would like to send my thanks to Dr Aslam and the team at Discover Laser, Crow Wood.
There is nothing worse than hearing the words “you have cancer”. After the initial shock your next priority is to ensure that you receive treatment from a consultant with lots of experience in treating your particular type of cancer, which will minimise the disruption and stress. My expectations were exceeded by the excellent help I received from Dr Aslam and his team.
During the initial examination Dr Aslam discovered another cancer in addition to the one I was aware of. The biopsy was carried out at my local private hospital quickly and efficiently.
On the day of my operation the facilities at the clinic at Discover Laser were first class. I had a dedicated surgical team who stayed with me for the duration of the operation. A further biopsy was undertaken to ensure that cancer was fully removed, and finally the reconstruction was completed.
During our time at the clinic, my wife and I were provided with coffee, soft drinks and a choice of lunch, while we progressed through the various stages of the procedure.
My post operative care was also excellent and within 2 weeks of the procedure my appearance was back to normal.
I cannot thank Dr Aslam and his team enough for all their help – they went far beyond what I expected.
Discover Laser Patient
To talk to us about treatment, call our friendly team on
01282 420886
