Which technique is often used to remove malignant tumors and/or growths from the eyelids?

The Mohs technique is often utilized for the removal of malignant tumors and growths from the eyelids due to its precision and effectiveness in maintaining healthy surrounding tissue. This surgical technique involves the stepwise excision of skin cancer, where the tumor is removed layer by layer. After each excision, the removed layer is immediately examined for cancerous cells. If any cancer cells are detected, the surgeon excises another layer of skin until clear margins are achieved, ensuring the complete removal of the malignancy while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

This method is particularly beneficial in delicate areas like the eyelids, where conserving surrounding tissue is critical for both functional and cosmetic outcomes. The technique minimizes the risk of recurrence and provides the best chance for complete removal of skin cancers, especially basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are common on the eyelids.

Other methods, such as excisional biopsy, typically involve the removal of a larger section of tissue in one go and may not provide the same level of precision in determining whether all cancer cells have been removed. Cryotherapy and cauterization may be useful for surface lesions and less aggressive cancers but do not offer the same level of thoroughness as the Mohs technique when it comes to dealing with malignant