If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, you might have heard your doctor mention Mohs surgery as a treatment option. It’s one of the most precise and effective ways to remove skin cancer, especially on delicate or visible areas like the face, ears, or hands.
But what actually happens during the procedure, and why is it so effective? Our expert team at Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology in Alpharetta, Canton, Cumming, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lavonia, and Toccoa, Georgia, is here to break it down step by step.
Mohs surgery is a highly specialized procedure used to treat certain types of skin cancer, including:
What makes it unique is its precision. Instead of removing a large section of tissue all at once, Mohs surgery removes the cancer layer by layer, examining each under a microscope until no cancer cells remain. This technique ensures maximum cancer removal with minimal damage to healthy tissue.
Mohs surgery takes place in stages during a single visit, usually in our office or a surgical suite. Here’s what to expect:
The area is numbed, so you’ll stay comfortable and awake throughout the procedure.
We remove a thin layer of visible cancer along with a small margin of surrounding tissue.
The tissue is mapped, processed, and examined under a microscope to look for remaining cancer cells.
If cancer cells are still present at the edges, another layer is removed from the exact area where they were found.
Once all cancer is gone, your wound is repaired, sometimes with stitches, a skin graft, or left to heal naturally, depending on size and location.
Mohs surgery offers several important benefits compared to traditional excisions or other treatments:
Up to 99% for new skin cancers and 94% for recurrent ones.
Because only cancerous tissue is removed, you keep as much healthy skin as possible.
You leave knowing all cancer has been removed (no waiting for lab results).
Precision removal helps preserve your natural appearance, which is especially valuable for visible areas.
Recovery after Mohs surgery depends on the size and depth of the removed area. Most people experience mild swelling or tenderness for a few days. We’ll give you detailed instructions on:
It’s also important to continue regular skin checks since having skin cancer increases your risk of developing others in the future. Using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours can help reduce your risk.
Ultimately, Mohs surgery is a meticulous but highly effective procedure that gives you the best chance of removing cancer completely while preserving healthy skin.
If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, don’t wait! Contact us online or by phone to set up an appointment at one of our locations today.