• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Georgia Skin Cancer and Aesthetic Dermatology
  • (706) 543-5858
  • COVID-19 Info
  • Patient Portal
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Home
  • About
    • Philanthropy
  • Meet the Team
    • Dr. Ross Campbell
    • Dr. Michael Kelly
    • Dr. Kristen Thomas
    • Dr. Natalie Meeks
    • Dr. Misty D. Caudell
    • Aestheticians
    • Providers
    • Administration
  • Specialties
      • Medical Dermatology
        • Skin & Mole Check
        • Pre-Cancers
        • Skin Cancer
        • Acne
        • Rosacea
        • Eczema
        • Contact Dermatitis
        • Patch Testing
        • Psoriasis
        • Fungal Infections
        • Tinea Versicolor
        • Warts & Molluscum
      • Cosmetic Dermatology
        • Cosmetics Overview
        • Acne
        • Wrinkles & Volume Loss
        • Acne Scarring
        • Cosmetic Bridal Packages
        • DiamondGlow
        • Freckles & Brown Spots
        • Facial Redness & Veins
        • Melasma
        • Neck Fat & Laxity
        • Surgical & Wound Scars
        • Unwanted Hair
        • Botox & Dysport
        • Juvéderm
        • Restylane®
        • Radiesse®
        • Kybella
        • Bellafill
        • Spider Veins
        • Cutera Excel V & Laser Genesis
        • Skin Care Products
        • Microneedling
      • Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery
        • Planning for Your Mohs Surgery
        • Mohs Recovery
  • Specialties
    • Medical Dermatology
      • Skin & Mole Check
      • Pre-Cancers
      • Skin Cancer
      • Acne
      • Rosacea
      • Eczema
      • Contact Dermatitis
      • Patch Testing
      • Fungal Infections
      • Psoriasis
      • Fungal Infections
      • Tinea Versicolor
      • Warts & Molluscum
    • Cosmetic Dermatology
      • Cosmetics Overview
      • Wrinkles & Volume Loss
      • Acne
      • Acne Scarring
      • Cosmetic Bridal Packages
      • DiamondGlow
      • Freckles & Brown Spots
      • Facial Redness & Veins
      • Melasma
      • Neck Fat & Laxity
      • Surgical & Wound Scars
      • Unwanted Hair
      • Botox & Dysport
      • Juvéderm
      • Restylane®
      • Radiesse®
      • Kybella
      • Bellafill
      • Spider Veins
      • Cutera Excel V & Laser Genesis
      • Skin Care Products
      • Microneedling
    • Skin Cancer
      • Planning for Your Mohs Surgery
      • Mohs Recovery
  • Reviews
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Patient Forms
    • Pay Online
  • Careers
  • Contact & Locations
    • Athens, GA Area
    • Commerce, GA
    • Elberton, GA
    • Gainesville, GA
    • Lake Oconee, GA
    • Winder, GA
    • Lavonia, GA
    • Clayton, GA
    • Demorest, GA
    • Toccoa, GA

Request Appointment

Mohs Surgery FAQs

January 28, 2022

A mole on the back of a man's head who is about to undergone mohs surgery.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a surgical technique used to treat complex skin cancers. The procedure was first developed back in the 1930s by Dr. Frederick Mohs and has advanced over the years, making it a highly effective treatment for many common types of skin cancer. Read these frequently asked questions to find out more about this advanced treatment.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs micrographic surgery is an outpatient procedure performed by specialist surgeons. The procedure is carried out in stages to progressively remove and evaluate thin layers of skin containing cancer cells until only cancer-free tissue remains. This technique aims to spare healthy tissue and leaves the smallest scar possible.

The procedure requires local anesthesia at the site of the cancer. First, the visible tumor is removed using surgical instruments. Individual layers of tissue, with a small margin around the tumor site, are then removed gradually in stages, one layer at a time. The layer of tissue is taken to a nearby lab for analysis. While the tissue is examined, the patient rests comfortably with a simple bandage in place.

During the lab analysis, each layer of tissue is divided into small sections and examined thoroughly under a microscope. The tissue is carefully mapped to allow the surgeon to identify the precise location of any cancer cells. The process is then repeated until there are no remaining cancer cells left. Once all the cancer cells have been successfully removed, the surgeon will evaluate the surgical site in order to determine the best option to repair the wound.

How Long Does Surgery Take?

Depending on the location of the tumor, Mohs surgery can be technically challenging. Typically, the procedure is completed within 1 to 5 hours, depending on the extent of the skin cancer. Each lab analysis can take around 30-45 minutes to check for cancer cells, so it is recommended that patients bring a book, cell phone, or some form of entertainment to use during this time.

How Will The Wound Be Repaired?

After all of the cancerous tissue has been removed, the surgeon will work out the best way to repair the wound in order to achieve the best possible cosmetic and functional results. This may include:

  • Leaving the wound to heal naturally
  • Using sutures to close the wound
  • Using a skin flap from neighboring tissue to cover the wound
  • Using a skin graft from a different area of the body to cover the wound

How Effective Is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs It offers the highest cure rate and allows patients to preserve as much healthy skin as possible by only removing the cancerous tissue.

This surgical technique can be particularly effective when treating skin cancer that has developed in a cosmetically or functionally important area, or in an area with limited tissue beneath, such as around the eyes, lips, ears, nose, scalp, hands, feet, or genitals.

What Cancers Can Mohs Surgery Treat?

Mohs surgery is typically used to treat the two most common skin cancers – basal cell carcinoma (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Some surgeons have also successfully treated certain cases of melanoma using this technique. Mohs surgery is often recommended when the skin cancer:

  • Is large, aggressive, or growing rapidly
  • Is in a cosmetically or functionally important area or in an area with little tissue beneath it
  • Has recurred after previous treatment, or has a high risk of recurrence
  • Has a border that is difficult to define

What Can I Expect After Surgery?

Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure and only uses local anesthesia, which helps to ensure a quicker recovery period. Depending on the location of the surgery, some patients may be able to drive themselves home after their procedure.

Healing time will depend on the location and extent of the cancer, but because this technique is so precise, it has the highest cure rate of any treatment method, and it can preserve the greatest amount of healthy tissue. Attending follow-up appointments and adhering to instructions regarding wound and scar care help to achieve the best outcomes.

Skin Cancer Screening and Mohs Surgery in Georgia

At Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology, our compassionate team of dermatologists and skin cancer specialists perform a range of advanced treatments, including Mohs micrographic surgery for complex skin cancers and skin cancer screening checks. We also offer a range of other general and cosmetic dermatology services to help you achieve and maintain healthy skin.

If you would like to find out more about Mohs surgery or any of our other specialties, call us today at (706) 543-5858, or alternatively, you can use our convenient online request an appointment form.

Filed Under: Mohs Surgery Tagged With: best skin cancer specialist near me, Dermatologist near me, dermatology care near me, Mohs Surgery in Georgia, Mohs Surgery near me, skin cancer diagnosis in Georgia, Skin Cancer Screening in Georgia, Skin Cancer Screening near me, Skin Cancer Treatment in Georgia, skin cancer treatment near me

Primary Sidebar

January 2022
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Dec   Feb »

Categories

  • Botox
  • Dermatology
  • General
  • Mohs Surgery
  • Skin Cancer
  • Skin Rashes

Tags

best dermatologist near me best dermatology office near me best mohs surgeon near me best skin cancer specialist near me Botox Injections in Athens GA Botox Injections in Commerce GA Botox Injections in Winder GA Botox Treatments Near Me Dermatologist Athens GA dermatologist Commerce GA Dermatologist Lake Oconee GA Dermatologist near me dermatology care dermatology care Commerce GA dermatology care Elberton GA dermatology care in GA dermatology care near me Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology Georgia Skin Cancer and Aesthetic Dermatology mohs surgeon Gainesville GA mohs surgeon in Georgia Mohs Surgery in Georgia Mohs Surgery near me skin cancer diagnosis skin cancer diagnosis in Georgia skin cancer diagnosis in Northeast Georgia skin cancer diagnosis near me Skin Cancer Experts in Athens GA Skin Cancer Screening in Athens GA Skin Cancer Screening in Elberton GA Skin Cancer Screening in Lake Oconee GA Skin Cancer Screening in Winder GA Skin Cancer Screening near me Skin Cancer Specialist skin cancer specialist in Georgia Skin Cancer Specialist in Northeast Georgia Skin Cancer Specialist near me skin cancer treatment Skin Cancer Treatment in Georgia skin cancer treatment in Northeast Georgia skin cancer treatment near me skin care skin doctors near me Skin Specialist Athens GA Skin Specialist near me

Footer

OUR BLOG

Keep up to date on the latest advances in dermatology, as well as news about our practice.

LEARN MORE

OUR LOCATIONS

Visit one of our many convenient locations for expert care.

LEARN MORE

LEARN MORE

LEARN MORE

  • Home
  • About
  • Meet the Team
  • Medical Dermatology
  • Cosmetic Dermatology
  • Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery
  • Reviews
  • Shop
  • Resources
  • Contact & Locations
  • Request an Appointment
  • Covid-19 info
  • Patient Portal
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
Copyright © · Georgia Skin Cancer and Aesthetic Dermatology · All Rights Reserved

The providers at Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology, offer a wide range of effective skin cancer, general, and cosmetic dermatology treatments.