Mohs Surgery

What Is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized procedure used to treat certain types of skin cancer. The process involves removing thin layers of cancerous skin and examining them under a microscope in real time. This continues until no cancer cells remain, ensuring complete removal while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

This method is especially effective in areas where preserving function and appearance is vital, such as the face, ears, and hands.

How Mohs Surgery Works

Mohs Surgery is performed in stages during a single appointment:

1. The visible tumor is carefully removed.
2. The tissue is examined under a microscope to check for remaining cancer cells.
3. If cancer cells are present, another thin layer is removed only from the affected area.
4. The process repeats until the margins are clear of cancer.

By combining surgery with immediate pathology review, Mohs achieves the highest accuracy in skin cancer treatment.

What to Expect During Mohs Surgery

1. Pre-Surgical Evaluation: Before surgery, your dermatologist will review your medical history, examine the cancer site, and discuss the procedure in detail.‍

2. Anesthesia and Preparation: Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area, ensuring you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.

3. Layer-by-Layer Tissue Removal‍

• The visible tumor is carefully removed first.
• A thin layer of surrounding tissue is excised and mapped to ensure accurate orientation.
• The tissue is processed and examined under a microscope to detect cancer cells.‍

4. Microscopic Analysis

• Each tissue layer is meticulously analyzed to identify cancerous cells.
• If cancer is present, only the affected areas are removed in the next layer.

5. Complete Cancer Removal: The process continues until all margins are clear, meaning no cancerous cells remain.

6. Reconstruction and Wound Closure

• Depending on the size and location of the wound, your dermatologist may perform primary closure, skin grafts, or allow the wound to heal naturally.
• Care is taken to ensure optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes.

7. Post-Operative Care and Follow-Up: You will receive detailed instructions on wound care and schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and ensure no recurrence.

This systematic approach removes every cancerous cell while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible

Who Is a Good Candidate for Mohs Surgery?

Mohs Surgery may be recommended if you:

• Have basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in cosmetically or functionally critical areas (face, scalp, hands, or genitals).
• Experience recurrent skin cancer after previous treatment.
• Have tumors with poorly defined borders or aggressive growth patterns.
• Want the highest cure rate with minimal impact on healthy tissue.