Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer

Mohs surgery is often recommended for treatment of basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. (These nonmelanoma skin cancers are the two most common skin cancers.) It may also be used to treat other skin cancers.

Your dermatologist or primary care doctor may refer you to us after a biopsy reveals the presence of skin cancer or a suspicious lesion. Other factors that may be considered in deciding if Mohs surgery is right for you include whether:

• The cancer was treated previously and has returned
• The cancer is large and in an area where healthy tissue must be preserved
• The cancer is aggressive

Like other standard skin cancer surgery, Mohs involves removing skin cancer lesions. However, Mohs surgery is considerably more effective than standard surgery. According to the National Institutes for Health, it has a 5-year cure rate of 92-99%, depending on the type of cancer and whether it is new or has recurred.

What to Expect During Mohs Surgery

The goal of Mohs surgery is to remove high-risk cancer cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

The surgeon will numb the area around the skin cancer site to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. The surgeon will then remove only the visible part of the cancer.

Next, the removed tissue is examined under a microscope to check for remaining cancer cells. If any are found, the surgeon will remove more tissue, but only where necessary. This process repeats until all the cancer is gone. This approach helps preserve as much healthy skin as possible, which is important in sensitive areas like the nose.

What is the Recovery Process?

Once all the cancer is removed, the surgeon and patient will decide together on the best way to close the wound (often, simple stitches are used). The surgeon will discuss what to expect after surgery and the plan for your recovery, including:

• Instructions on self-care at home (e.g., when to change bandages and how to clean the surgical site)
• Information about prescriptions and over-the-counter medications (such as topical ointments)
• When you can return to certain activities
• Follow-up appointments to remove stitches and/or monitor healing

Meet Our Mohs Surgery Expert

Our dermatological surgeon collaborates closely with our facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons to ensure the best cosmetic outcomes for patients.

Contact Us

You must be referred by your physician for Mohs surgery. For information, appointments and consultations, please call 667-214-1195.

Mohs Surgery Location

University of Maryland Professional Building
419 W. Redwood Street, Suite 260
Baltimore, MD 21201