How is Mohs Surgery Performed?

Among all skin cancer treatments offered, Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate. The success rate has reached 99% for most skin cancers, which is higher than any other form of treatment, including standard surgical excision. Mohs surgery is also more cost-effective because unlike other cancer surgeries or radiation treatments, it does not usually require repeat procedures.

If you are thinking of undergoing Athens Mohs surgery, you should be aware of certain precautions needed before the procedure. A consultation is performed on the day of surgery to answer all of your questions concerning the procedure, to confirm the surgery site, and to discuss other treatment modalities if appropriate. In any instance, it is often helpful to bring along a friend or family member to help you with the instructions and to drive home.

The procedure begins with the doctor cleaning the area where your tumor is present and injecting local anesthetic into the area (much like when the biopsy was performed). The visible cancer will then be removed and sent to the laboratory to be processed onto  microscope slides. The slide preparation period will take between 30 and 45 minutes. This is often the most difficult part of the day because there may be a long wait depending on how many times the procedure must be repeated. The tumor is examined under the microscope to determine if there is any cancer remaining. If tumor is still present, the surgeon will perform a repeat procedure, but only on the area of skin where the tumor is present, and only until the tumor is completely removed. The procedure will be repeated as often as needed depending on the extent of malignant tissues. The advantage of Mohs surgery is that only tumor-affected tissue is removed, thus enabling the surgeon to leave as small as scar as possible.

After the cancer has been completely removed, the wound is repaired. Sometimes a few stitches are needed, others a flap or graft of skin is used to repair the wound, other times it may be left to heal without stitches. The needed repair depends on the size of the wound and will be chosen to provide the best cosmetic outcome.

It is important for you to find a physician with whom you feel comfortable. It is very important to find a physician who is experienced and fellowship trained to perform Mohs surgery. Fellowship trained physicians invest an additional one or two years of training in Mohs Surgery and pathology interpretation under the guidance of a Mohs College surgeon. This is in addition to the Mohs Surgery training they received during residency.

If you consider having the procedure performed in Athens, Georgia, then Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology is a trusted place to go. It is located near downtown Athens and founded by Dr. Ross Campbell, who is the only fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon based in the area.  Learn more about our Athens Mohs Surgery service.