Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized surgery used for the removal of skin cancer. Mohs has the highest cure rate for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. During the Mohs surgery, only cancerous tissue is removed, which preserves as much normal skin as possible. This is of importance for skin cancers on the face near the ears, nose, lips, and ears.

  • Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized surgery where the physician removes the skin tissue in stages. The physician checks that edge of the skin tissue to ensure that the entire skin cancer is removed. The skin tissue is charted with different colors so that the physician can remove more skin tissue on the edges where skin cancer is still present. This allows the physician to remove only the skin cancer without removing a large extra margin of normal skin.

  • There are very specific criteria for skin cancers that need to be removed with Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

    Criteria for Mohs Micrographic Surgery:

    • Skin cancers larger than 4mm on the face

    • Skin cancers on high risk sites like the ears, lips, near the eyes, and nose

    • Skin cancers with aggressive or rapid growth

    • Skin cancers that are larger than 2cm on the body

    • Skin cancers that have returned after being treated with an other procedure (recurrent)

    • Skin cancers with poorly defined borders

  • The Mohs procedure has the best cure rate of all known treatments for squamous and basal cell skin cancer. The cure rate is 99 percent for basal cell carcinoma and 94% for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

  • Along with the high cure rate, the benefits of the Mohs procedure have made it a popular option. The procedure is low risk because it is performed in the out-patient setting. This means that you do not have to go into a hospital for the surgery, and you do not have to go under general anesthesia. Mohs surgery has a low complication rate and is considered very safe.

  • After a Mohs Surgery, you will be provided with written instructions about how to care for the wound. Wound care supplies include (1) hydrogen peroxide (2) Vaseline or polysporin ointment (3) band-aids (4) Tylenol pain medication. Most stitches are removed 1 week after the surgery, and most people are back to work or school within 2-3 days.

  • Your doctor will decide if the Mohs procedure is right for you. Not all skin cancers need to be treated with Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Mohs Micrographic Surgery is one of the fastest growing skin treatment options available today because of its effective and safe.