How Mohs Surgery Works: Precision Treatment with Cure Rates up to ~99% for Certain Skin Cancers

When you are facing a skin cancer diagnosis, especially on the face or another sensitive area, you want care that offers a high chance of success while protecting as much healthy skin as possible. Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized, tissue sparing technique designed to do exactly that for appropriate skin cancers.

What Mohs surgery is

Mohs surgery is a specialized skin cancer surgery that removes cancer in thin layers. After each layer is removed, the tissue is examined under the microscope the same day, while you wait in the office. This lets your surgeon treat the cancer precisely and remove as little healthy tissue as possible.

The technique was developed by Dr. Frederic Mohs and has become a trusted option for many basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

How the stage by stage process works

Mohs surgery is done in stages. Each stage is a careful, repeatable cycle:

Remove a thin layer of tissue from the treatment area
Examine the surgical margins under the microscope while you wait
Map the tissue to identify exactly where any cancer remains
Remove more tissue only in the areas where cancer is still present
Repeat the steps until the margins are clear

Most patients need one or more stages, depending on what the surgeon finds.

Why margin by margin examination matters

Because the entire surgical margin is examined under the microscope, your surgeon can:

Track both the visible and the microscopic edges of the cancer
Spare as much healthy tissue as possible
Support precise treatment in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas
Reduce the chance of leaving tumor behind in appropriate cases

Understanding the cure rate

For certain primary, previously untreated basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, Mohs surgery can achieve cure rates up to approximately 99 percent. Outcomes vary by cancer type, location, size, and whether the tumor is new or recurrent. Your care team will talk with you about what is realistic for your specific situation.

When Mohs is typically recommended

Mohs surgery is often recommended for skin cancers in areas where preserving healthy tissue and appearance is especially important, and for tumors with a higher risk of returning. Common examples include cancers on the:

Face
Nose
Ears
Eyelids
Lips
Hands
Other cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas

It is also frequently chosen for larger tumors, recurrent tumors, tumors with ill defined borders, and higher risk basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

Mohs is most established for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is not the right approach for every skin cancer, and your provider will recommend it only when the evaluation, cancer type, location, and risk factors point to it as the best option.

What to expect at your Mohs visit

Knowing what to expect can make the day feel much calmer. In general, you may:

Arrive and receive local anesthesia to numb the treatment area
Have the visible tumor and a thin layer of surrounding tissue removed
Wait comfortably while the tissue is processed and reviewed
Need one or more additional stages, depending on what is found
Discuss repair options once the margins are clear
Receive wound care instructions before you head home

Many people bring a book or some work and plan for the visit to take part of the day.

Meet your Mohs surgeon
Dr. Andrew Dorizas is a Mohs surgeon at Advanced Dermatology of Alaska with advanced training in cutaneous surgery through the University of Miami dermatology residency. He provides expert and compassionate care for patients throughout their treatment.

Where Mohs surgery is performed
Mohs surgery is performed at our Wasilla and Anchorage locations. For patients seen in Juneau or other communities, our team helps coordinate referrals and scheduling so you have a clear next step.