About Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Hearing “skin cancer” is unsettling. Knowing your treatment has the highest cure rate available, and that you’ll leave the office knowing the cancer is fully removed, makes it easier.
At Charleston Dermatology, Mohs surgery is performed by fellowship-trained surgeons who remove the visible tumor plus a thin layer of surrounding tissue, then examine 100% of the margin under the microscope while you wait. If any cancer remains, another thin layer is removed from that exact spot — and only that spot — until the margins are clear.
Because Mohs spares healthy tissue, it’s especially valuable for cancers on the face, ears, nose, lips, hands, and other areas where every millimeter matters. Once the cancer is out, your surgeon repairs the site with a closure designed for the best functional and cosmetic result. Schedule a consultation and we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during Mohs surgery?
After numbing the area with local anesthetic, your surgeon removes the visible cancer plus a thin margin of tissue, maps it, and processes it in the on-site lab while you wait comfortably. Under the microscope, the surgeon checks the entire edge and undersurface for cancer cells. Stages repeat only where cancer remains. Most patients are done in a few hours, and the wound is repaired the same day.
Why choose Mohs over other treatments?
Two reasons: the highest cure rates—up to 99% for previously untreated basal cell carcinoma—and maximum preservation of healthy tissue. Standard excision removes a predetermined margin and sends it to a lab, with results days later. Mohs checks the complete margin immediately, so you leave knowing the cancer is gone, and scars are often smaller.
Is Mohs surgery right for every skin cancer?
No—and a good Mohs surgeon will tell you so. Mohs is typically recommended for skin cancers on the head, neck, hands, feet, and genitals; tumors that are large, aggressive, recurrent, or have poorly defined edges; and cancers in patients with weakened immune systems. Many low-risk cancers on the trunk and limbs are treated just as well with simpler methods, and we’ll recommend whichever approach fits your diagnosis.