A cancerous growth has been surgically removed from Edmund G. Brown, Jr., 73, Governor of California. Tests showed he had basal cell carcinoma on the right side of his nose. The outpatient procedure, known as Mohs surgery, was carried out in Oakland.

The Governor is known as Jerry Brown.

After the procedure, which was done under a local anesthetic and included some reconstructive surgery, Brown went home. The governor’s office announced that all the cancerous cells were surgically removed.

A type of surgery used to treat skin cancer, especially basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. The aim is to remove all cancerous tissue with minimum removal of healthy tissue. The technique is effective when the surgeon is not certain of the shape of the tumor, or its depth. Mohs surgery can also be used to take out large tumors.

In this microscopically controlled technique, a thin layer of skin is removed and examined under a microscope to check for cancerous tissue – this is done again and again until all the tumor has been removed (when no more cancerous cells are detected under the microscope). The technique was devised by surgeon Frederic E. Mohs (1910-) while he was a medical student.

Brown will not make any public appearances until the stitches have been removed, but he will continue working as usual otherwise, his office announced. The removal of stitches will start this coming Friday.

The cancer cells look like the basal cells of the outer layer of skin (epidermis). It is sometimes referred to as non-melanoma skin cancer. A small fleshy bump or nodule appears, in the majority of cases on the patient’s head, neck or hands – less often on the trunk of the body (flat growths).

Approximately 90% of skin cancers in the USA and UK are of this type. It is easy to diagnose and treat effectively. If the cancer is not treated it may spread to other parts of the body and extend below the skin, reaching the bone and causing considerable damage.

It is more common among Caucasian patients, especially those with fair hair, skin and eyes, and occurs very rarely among dark-skinned people.

Individuals with basal cell carcinoma are more likely to develop other types of skin cancers. They should have annual skin checkups and be careful about overexposing their skin to the sun.

Written by Christian Nordqvist