General Dermatology
Exceptional Expertise
No matter what our age or skin type, we all want skin that is beautiful and healthy. Skin that not only looks great, but feels great. Haiken Dermatology understands the importance of healthy skin. Whether addressing a specific dermatologic issue or projecting a more youthful appearance, we strive to help you achieve the results you desire. The medical and surgical staff are comprised of energetic individuals practicing at the forefront of dermatology.
Dr. Haiken was trained at leading dermatologic institutions in New York City and has developed exceptional expertise in the field of dermatology. As a highly experienced specialist, he utilizes some of the latest technologies and advanced treatments available today. In fact, this high level of care is comparable to teaching hospitals and universities with the added benefit of being conveniently close to home.
The Mohs College Difference
While any board certified dermatologist may perform Mohs surgery, only members of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) have undergone rigorous fellowship training. Dr. Michael Haiken was chosen through an extremely competitive review and selection process. Dr. Haiken was required to complete an intensive 1 year post-residency ACMS Fellowship Training Program at the University of Miami Medical School Department of Dermatology. As of 2012, Dr. Haiken has performed over 20,000 Mohs Surgery procedures.
Local anesthesia is administered around the area of the tumor as the patient is awake during the entire procedure. The use of local anesthesia in Mohs surgery versus general anesthesia provides numerous benefits, including the prevention of lengthy recovery and possible side effects from general anesthesia. After the area has been numbed, the Mohs surgeon removes the visible tumor along with a thin layer of surrounding tissue. This tissue is prepared and put on slides by a technician and examined under a microscope by the Mohs surgeon. If there is evidence of cancer, another layer of tissue is taken from the area where the cancer was detected. This ensures that only cancerous tissue is removed during the procedure, minimizing the loss of healthy tissue. These steps are repeated until all samples are free of cancer. (See the diagram) While there are always exceptions to the rule, most tumors require 1 to 3 stages for complete removal.
The Mohs Surgery Process
Step 1
The roots of a skin cancer may extend beyond the visible portion of the tumor. If these roots are not removed, the cancer will recur.
Step 2
The visible tumor is surgically removed.
Step 3
A layer of skin is removed and divided into sections. The ACMS surgeon then color codes each of these sections with dyes and makes reference marks on the skin to show the source of these sections. A map of the surgical site is then drawn.
Step 4
The undersurface and edges of each section are microscopically examined for evidence of remaining cancer.
Step 5
If cancer cells are found under the microscope, the ACMS surgeon marks their location onto the “map” and returns to the patient to remove another layer of skin – but only from precisely where the cancer cells remain.
Step 6
The removal process stops when there is no longer any evidence of cancer remaining in the surgical site. Because Mohs surgey removes only tissue containing cancer, it ensures that the maximum amount of healthy tissue is kept intact.
