IHC-assisted Mohs expands melanoma treatment in St. Louis

By AI, Created 10:11 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – A St. Louis-area dermatologist is using immunohistochemical-assisted Mohs surgery to treat melanoma with same-day reconstruction, bringing a more precise option closer to patients in the region. The approach could reduce travel, delay, and scarring for people facing one of the deadliest skin cancers.

Why it matters: - IHC-assisted Mohs surgery can make melanoma cells visible during surgery, allowing the tumor to be removed more precisely while preserving healthy tissue. - The same-day approach can combine excision and reconstruction in one visit, which can reduce scarring and speed recovery. - Missouri reports about 1,500 new melanoma diagnoses each year, and incidence is rising about 1.3% annually. - More than six million basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma cases are treated in the U.S. each year, and more than 80% occur on the face, scalp, neck or hands.

What happened: - Dr. Brandon T. Beal, a St. Louis-area surgeon, is performing IHC-assisted Mohs surgery at St. Louis Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Troy, Missouri. - Dr. Beal said the technique allows tumor excision and wound reconstruction in the same office visit on the same day. - The practice says same-week appointments are available. - The office is at 520 E. Cherry St., Troy, MO 63379. - Patients can call (314) 834-1400 or visit more information for appointments.

The details: - Mohs micrographic surgery has long been the gold standard for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. - IHC staining uses antibodies to reveal melanoma cells on frozen tissue slides during surgery. - Published outcomes for the melanoma approach are described as comparable or superior to more invasive procedures. - Dr. Beal is one of the only double board-certified Mohs Micrographic Surgeons and Cosmetic Dermatologists in the region. - Dr. Beal holds fellowship training through the American College of Mohs Surgery. - That fellowship requires more than a year of supervised, high-volume surgical and pathology training beyond dermatology residency. - Dr. Beal completed residency at the Cleveland Clinic Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Institute. - Dr. Beal completed a Mohs and facial plastic surgery fellowship at Zitelli & Brodland. - Any licensed physician can legally perform Mohs surgery, but fellowship training adds specialized pathology and surgical experience.

Between the lines: - Rural patients often arrive later in the course of disease than urban patients, on average 12 to 24 months after first noticing a lesion. - The traditional referral path for fellowship-level Mohs care has meant trips to academic medical centers in St. Louis, which can delay diagnosis and treatment for patients in Lincoln, Warren and St. Charles counties. - More than half of Dr. Beal’s patients travel fewer than 10 miles to reach the Troy office, suggesting local access is filling a regional gap. - The move reflects a broader shift in dermatologic surgery: techniques once limited to academic centers are becoming available in community settings.

What’s next: - Dr. Beal is available for media interviews, in-office visits and broadcast appearances. - Patient introductions are available with prior coordination. - High-resolution before-and-after photography is available for editorial use. - Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May is likely to put more attention on melanoma screening and early treatment.

The bottom line: - IHC-assisted Mohs is bringing a more precise melanoma surgery option closer to patients in the greater St. Louis region, with the potential for faster treatment and same-day reconstruction.