About Mohs Surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma
Most BCCs grow slowly, but “slow” isn’t “harmless”—left alone, they burrow into surrounding tissue, and on the nose, eyelid, or ear, that’s costly territory.
At Charleston Dermatology, our surgeons use Mohs surgery for BCCs where precision pays: tumors on the face, ears, and hands; recurrent tumors; large tumors; and those with ill-defined borders or aggressive growth patterns under the microscope.
The complete margin is examined during your visit, so no cancer is left behind at the edges—the main reason standard treatments fail. Once margins are clear, your surgeon repairs the site the same day with the best cosmetic closure for the location. One visit, done. Schedule a consultation and let’s take care of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mohs recommended for my basal cell carcinoma?
Location, size, and behavior drive the recommendation. BCCs on the central face, around the eyes, nose, lips, and ears sit where recurrence is more common and tissue preservation matters most. Recurrent BCCs, large tumors, and aggressive subtypes (like infiltrative or morpheaform BCC) also do best with complete margin control.
What are the cure rates?
Mohs offers cure rates of up to 99% for BCCs that haven’t been treated before and around 94% for recurrent tumors—the highest of any treatment. Standard excision cure rates are lower for high-risk locations because only a small sample of the margin is examined.
What will the scar look like?
Smaller than you’d expect, in most cases. Because Mohs removes the least tissue possible, the repair starts from the smallest possible defect. Your surgeon chooses the closure—straight line, flap, or graft—based on the location and your anatomy, and scars typically fade and flatten over months. We’ll give you scar care instructions and follow up on healing.