Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a precise technique for removing skin cancer. The surgeon takes off a thin layer of tissue, examines it under the microscope on site, and repeats the process only where cancer cells remain, continuing until all of the cancerous tissue is gone.

Its main advantages are a high cure rate and the preservation of healthy skin. Because so little normal tissue is removed, it is especially valuable for cancers on the face, head or neck, where keeping scarring to a minimum is important.

There are trade-offs. A Mohs procedure can take several hours, and it must be performed by a specially trained surgeon. It may still leave a scar, although that scar is often smaller than one from a traditional excision.

Depending on the type and location of the cancer, other treatments such as traditional excision or radiation therapy may be options. Healing time depends on the size and location of the area treated: simple removals may heal within about a week, while larger ones can take longer.

Mohs surgery is not appropriate for every skin cancer. A dermatologist will help determine whether it is the right choice for your particular case.

• Mohs surgery at Team Dermatology