Mohs Surgery: Blast from the Past for Skin Cancer Treatment

2. What is the Procedure for Mohs Surgery?

Mohs Surgery is performed in one visit, as an out-patient procedure. A qualified surgeon, trained in the Mohs Micrographic Surgery Procedure, Pathology, and reconstructive surgery performs the process.

The surgeon marks the cancerous area in preparation for the surgery; the area will be injected with a local anesthetic to numb that spot. When the anesthetic takes effect, the surgeon will start removing a thin top layer of cancer. When the layer is removed, it will be sent to an on-site lab.

While the patient waits, the lab technician freezes and cuts the layer so the surgeon can examine it under a microscope. If cancer cells still exist, the surgeon removes another layer, and the process begins again until cancer cells are no longer present. When necessary, the surgeon will stitch the area or for larger wounds do a reconstructive repair. Once complete the patient is sent home, cancer free.