What is Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is a relatively new and advanced surgical technique used to treat and remove certain skin cancers. It is used to precisely remove the entire skin cancer while leaving as much healthy skin as possible. This technique minimizes the size of the final scar and in many cases leads to a superior cosmetic outcome. Mohs surgery is indicated in cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face and in areas with minimal skin laxity such the hands. The most common skin cancers that are treated include basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. 

How is Mohs surgery done?

Mohs surgery involves removing the visible skin cancer with a slim margin of normal tissue. This tissue is then processed on-site, and the tissue is then examined under the microscope to look for any residual skin cancer at the margins. If there are any positive margins, another layer of tissue is removed in the affected areas only, and the process is repeated until all the margins are clear. 

What are the advantages of Mohs surgery? 

Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate for certain skin cancers. including basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. If the skin cancer has never been treated before, there is about a 99% chance of cure with Mohs surgery.  It also minimizes the amount of normal tissue removed, thus reducing the size of the final scar and improving cosmetic outcomes.