Category: Mohs Surgery

Dr. Gerald Bock, a Board-certified dermatologist, is highly-respected for many reasons. He has been improving the lives of patients for more than four decades, with general and cosmetic dermatology procedures. He has invested in the most advanced technologies and training to provide safe and effective treatments at his practice, California Skin & Laser Center, in Stockton and Lodi, CA. Adding to his expertise, Dr. Bock is a fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon. Therefore, Dr. Bock has the required training to perform the most advanced and precise surgical procedure for removing skin cancer. During his Mohs residency, Dr. Bock trained with Dr. Frederic Mohs, who developed this surgical technique.
 
Dr. Bock and our team are advocates of patient education. We believe it is important to understand skin cancer, be able to identify its signs, know how to prevent it, and be aware of treatments available. The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells is skin cancer. This leads the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. Causes of skin cancer include excessive sun exposure and tanning beds.
 
The types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. A skin growth that increases in size and commonly appears black, brown, tan, translucent, pearly, or multicolored is a sign of basal cell carcinoma. An open sore that does not heal within three weeks or a thick, scaly patch is a sign of squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. A sign of melanoma is a mole, beauty mark, birth mark, or any brown spot that changes in texture, color, size, thickness, or symmetry.
 
There are several ways to reduce risk of skin cancer including:

• Avoiding tanning beds.
• Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, rain or shine.
• Examining your skin from head to toe, monthly.
• Visiting Dr. Bock for an annual skin cancer screening.

If diagnosed with skin cancer, rest assured there is treatment available. Mohs micrographic surgery is ideal for recurrence after other treatments have failed. It results in more favorable cosmetic outcomes. An important benefit of treatment is that healthy tissue remains intact and unharmed. To learn more about skin cancer and treatments available, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bock by calling [phone].
 
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Mohs micrographic surgery is a precise and highly effective treatment for various types of skin cancers. The California Skin & Laser Center team offers this innovative procedure in our offices in Stockton and Lodi, California. Our Board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Gerald Bock, has been treating patients for more than 40 years. In addition to his exceptional skills in general and cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Bock is a fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon. Patients are in excellent hands with Dr. Bock.
 
The Mohs surgical technique was developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs in the 1930s. During his Mohs residency, Dr. Bock had the distinct privilege of training under Dr. Mohs. The organization of Dr. Bock’s laboratory was supervised by Dr. Mohs’ chief technician. Dr. Bock has the training and expertise to examine a tumor and precisely remove it with this technique, while leaving surrounding healthy tissue intact.
 
The Mohs procedure involves removing skin cancer one layer at a time. The tissue and its surgical margins are examined under a microscope. This process continues until the margins are clear, meaning only cancer-free tissue around the tumor remains. Mohs has up to a 99 percent potential cure rate – the highest of all treatments for skin cancer.
 
The benefits of Mohs surgery include:

• Complete cancer removal during surgery, virtually eliminating the chance of its return.
• Healthy tissue surrounding the tumor is left unharmed.
• Optimal cosmetic results.

Mohs micrographic surgery is typically recommended if there has been a history of recurrence after previous treatment; the cancer is aggressive or larger; and the borders are hard to define. If cancer is located on or near the hairline, eyes, ears, nose, hands, and feet, Mohs surgery may be the most favorable treatment.
 
At California Skin & Laser Center, we believe in skin cancer prevention. We offer screenings to help identify any signs of cancer in its earliest stages. We recommend skin cancer screenings at least annually. In addition, it is important to perform self-examinations at home at least monthly to identify any potential concerns.
 
Our team cares about your overall health and well-being. If you need to schedule a skin cancer screening, please call [phone].
 
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Traditionally surgeries to treat skin cancer involved removing both the visible cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue at the same time. Mohs Micrographic Surgery offers a precise alternative to such standard procedures. MMS also has a high potential cure rate of up to 99 percent, according to the American College of Mohs Surgery.
 
The California Skin & Laser Center team may suggest MMS if:

• There has been a history of recurrence after previous treatment
• There is a high risk of recurrence
• The cancer is aggressive or large
• Borders are hard to define, making removal difficult
• The cancer is located on or near the eyes, ears, nose, hairline, hands, feet and other areas where it’s necessary to preserve healthy tissue

This type of procedure allows surgeons to progressively remove one layer of cancer-containing skin at a time as needed. Examining each layer of tissue under the microscope, and removing tissue until there are no signs of cancer, aids the surgical staff in verifying that all cancerous cells have been eradicated.
 
The Mohs technique is beneficial as:

• There is an increased chance of a cure
• The need for additional treatments, surgeries may be diminished
• Damage to surrounding healthy tissue is minimized
• It may be performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthetic

MMS is considered a technically challenging procedure. For this reason, the Mayo Clinic emphasizes the importance of selecting a surgeon who has specialized Mohs surgical training.
 
Dr. Gerald Bock trained with Dr. Frederic E. Mohs during his residency. The late general surgeon developed the technique in the 1930s while working at the University of Wisconsin.
 
The pioneering surgeon’s chief technician supervised the organization of Dr. Bock’s lab. Rest assured California Skin & Laser Center professionals have unique access to expertise and a depth of experience to distinguish the practice from other dermatologists in the Stockton area.
 
Dermatologists can perform MMS. It is a standard part of medical training. However, not every dermatologist has completed the fellowship training to be a specialized Mohs Micrographic Surgeon in Stockton. Fellows like Dr. Bock are trained at centers approved by the American College of Mohs Surgery. As a member of the ACMS, know when you call Dr. Bock and his staff at 209-751-4292 the highest standard of care will be available to reduce your risk of complications and errors during surgery.Traditionally surgeries to treat skin cancer involved removing both the visible cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue at the same time. Mohs Micrographic Surgery offers a precise alternative to such standard procedures. MMS also has a high potential cure rate of up to 99 percent, according to the American College of Mohs Surgery.
 
The California Skin & Laser Center team may suggest MMS if:

• There has been a history of recurrence after previous treatment
• There is a high risk of recurrence
• The cancer is aggressive or large
• Borders are hard to define, making removal difficult
• The cancer is located on or near the eyes, ears, nose, hairline, hands, feet and other areas where it’s necessary to preserve healthy tissue

This type of procedure allows surgeons to progressively remove one layer of cancer-containing skin at a time as needed. Examining each layer of tissue under the microscope, and removing tissue until there are no signs of cancer, aids the surgical staff in verifying that all cancerous cells have been eradicated.
 
The Mohs technique is beneficial as:

• There is an increased chance of a cure
• The need for additional treatments, surgeries may be diminished
• Damage to surrounding healthy tissue is minimized
• It may be performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthetic

MMS is considered a technically challenging procedure. For this reason, the Mayo Clinic emphasizes the importance of selecting a surgeon who has specialized Mohs surgical training.
 
Dr. Gerald Bock trained with Dr. Frederic E. Mohs during his residency. The late general surgeon developed the technique in the 1930s while working at the University of Wisconsin.
 
The pioneering surgeon’s chief technician supervised the organization of Dr. Bock’s lab. Rest assured California Skin & Laser Center professionals have unique access to expertise and a depth of experience to distinguish the practice from other dermatologists in the Stockton area.
 
Dermatologists can perform MMS. It is a standard part of medical training. However, not every dermatologist has completed the fellowship training to be a specialized Mohs Micrographic Surgeon in Stockton. Fellows like Dr. Bock are trained at centers approved by the American College of Mohs Surgery. As a member of the ACMS, know when you call Dr. Bock and his staff at 209-751-4292 the highest standard of care will be available to reduce your risk of complications and errors during surgery.
 
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