NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Now Offers Mohs Micrographic Surgery for the Treatment of Skin Cancer
Hospital unveils a new $285,000 laboratory that allows patients to be treated for skin cancer in one visit Mohs surgery is the most effective way to treat the two most common types of skin cancer
Apr 16, 2024
New York, NY — NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue today announced that it now offers Mohs micrographic surgery for the treatment of skin cancer. Mohs micrographic surgery is the most effective way to treat basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), the two most common types of skin cancer. The surgery offers less scarring and the highest tumor cure rate, and has a success rate as high as 99 percent. The hospital has built a new Mohs laboratory, including an advanced Olympus BX53 Dual-View Mohs Microscope with Camera, that will allow dermatologic surgeons to remove skin cancer carcinomas in one visit, saving as much healthy tissue as possible and improving patient healing time.
William Hicks, Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, said, “Skin cancer affects people of all colors, and many people with darker skin tones are diagnosed later, making it harder to treat. The availability of Mohs surgery is another vital step in our continuing mission to deliver comprehensive, high quality health care services to every patient, and help our most vulnerable New Yorkers live healthier lives.”
“It is an honor to bring Mohs micrographic surgery to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and to offer the gold standard for skin cancer treatment,” said Dr. Maressa C. Criscito, Board-Certified Mohs Micrographic Surgeon, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Through this precise and specialized technique, we are able to provide the highest level of care to every patient with a skin cancer diagnosis.”
Trained specialists were recruited to support the new clinic, including a histotechnician, responsible for the freezing and care of samples, and a nurse with prior experience in Mohs. Mohs procedure cross training will be provided to staff nurses.
Patients will be referred through the Dermatology Clinic at Bellevue and other NYC Health + Hospitals facilities. Patients from outside NYC Health + Hospitals will need a referral from their provider.
During Mohs surgery, a surgeon removes thin layers of skin one layer at a time and examines each layer under a microscope while the patient waits. This process continues until only cancer-free tissue remains. The patient is administered a local anesthetic to numb the area and can complete the process in one visit. Mohs surgery is cost-effective as the lab work is done on site, and allows as much healthy tissue as possible to remain.
Hospital staff held a ribbon cutting to dedicate the new Mohs laboratory, which has satisfied New York State Department of Health requirements and received the initial New York State clinical laboratory permit, on March 18, 2024, and began treating patients on March 22, 2024. In addition to the special Olympus BX53 microscope, the new lab includes supportive equipment and lab-specific room renovations such as a ductless workstation and furniture outfitting for a total cost of $285,111.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, and more than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
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MEDIA CONTACT: 212-562-4516; BellevuePublicRelations@nychhc.org
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America’s oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the 851-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. The hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and annually it sees about 103,000 emergency room visits, more than 520,000 outpatient visits, and almost 200,000 visits to our COVID-19 testing and vaccine centers. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Bariatric Surgery; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Children’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/bellevue and follow us on Facebook and X(Twitter).
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.