Mohs Surgery for Melanoma

Overview
Mohs surgery, also known as Mohs micrographic surgery, is a surgical procedure to treat various types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Mohs surgery is not an effective treatment for invasive melanoma. However, dermatologists occasionally recommend it to treat a certain type of early-stage melanoma called lentigo maligna melanoma, which remains close to the skin's surface for some time. 

Mohs surgery is known for its precision in removing cancerous cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. It’s particularly useful for treating skin cancer in sensitive areas, such as the face, neck, or hands. Mohs surgery involves the detailed examination of cancerous cells layer by layer. This approach allows the surgeon to ensure that all cancerous cells are removed while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. 

What does it involve?
Mohs surgery is performed in a medical office or surgical suite under local anesthesia, meaning you are awake during the procedure but the treated area is numbed. The process involves the surgeon removing any visible cancer along with a thin layer of surrounding skin, which is then examined under a microscope for cancer cells. If cancer cells are detected, the process is repeated until no more cancer cells are found. 

When the surgery is done, your health care providers will bandage the affected area and send you home. You may be asked to return the following day to have more layers of cells removed if your doctor suspects there is still melanoma present. When your doctor is confident all cancer has been removed, they will close the wound or leave it to heal on its own if it is small enough.  

It is essential to follow your health care provider’s instructions regarding surgery preparation and postsurgery care to ensure the best possible outcome.

Side effects
Common side effects of Mohs surgery include temporary pain, swelling, bruising, and bleeding at the surgery site. 

Rare but serious side effects may include infection, nerve damage (resulting in numbness or muscle weakness), and scarring. Although Mohs surgery aims to minimize scarring by conserving as much healthy tissue as possible, any surgical procedure carries a risk of scars.

For more information about this treatment, visit:

What Is Mohs surgery? — American Academy of Dermatology

Mohs Surgery for Melanoma In Situ – Where We Stand — Melanoma Research Alliance

About This Treatment: Mohs Surgery for Melanoma  — Stanford Health Care