Mohs Surgery Explained: Precise, Effective, and Life-Saving Care
Aug 02, 2025
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It’s a serious diagnosis, but when it’s detected early and treated appropriately, it’s also highly curable.
When it comes to skin cancer treatment, Mohs surgery is one of the most powerful tools available, especially for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and certain early melanomas. This technique offers unmatched precision, preserving as much healthy tissue as possible while completely removing cancerous cells.
At Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, we specialize in performing Mohs. We strive to deliver the highest level of care, accuracy, and patient comfort, and here’s what you need to know about this effective skin cancer treatment.
Mohs surgery is a highly specialized procedure that treats certain types of skin cancer. It involves removing the cancerous tissue one thin layer at a time and immediately examining each layer under a microscope until no abnormal cells remain.
Unlike traditional excision, where a larger area of tissue is removed as a precaution, Mohs surgery offers a targeted solution for skin cancer. It’s an incredibly precise approach that ensures all of the cancer is removed and it leaves as much healthy skin intact as possible.
Mohs surgery is especially valuable for cancers located in visible or delicate areas like your face, ears, or hands, places where preserving appearance and function is just as important as removing the cancer.
And because the cancer is removed with such precision, Mohs surgery has an incredibly high cure rate of up to 99% for certain cancers. Removing cancerous cells reduces your risk of recurrence or metastasis, where cancer starts spreading to other parts of your body.
By catching and eliminating cancerous cells early, Mohs surgery can prevent the disease from becoming more advanced or fatal.
At Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center, we help people find the best skin cancer treatment for their unique needs. We may recommend Mohs surgery if you have:
We carefully evaluate your diagnosis, medical history, and skin type to determine if Mohs surgery is the best option for you. And if you move ahead with the procedure, here’s what you can expect next.
We perform Mohs surgery in our office under local anesthesia, meaning you’ll be awake but completely comfortable. Your surgeon removes thin layers of cancerous tissue one at a time, and examines each layer immediately in our on-site lab, looking for abnormal cells.
We continue taking layers from the exact location where cancerous cells remain until no more are detected under the microscope. This process continues until the margins are clear, typically within a few hours.
Our team gives you instructions on how to keep the wound clean, prevent infection, and promote healing before you go home. Depending on the size and location of the treated area, some people need stitches or a follow-up visit for wound closure.
Be prepared to follow your aftercare instructions closely. While you might need to modify some activities at first, most people can resume their normal routine within a few days after Mohs surgery, and scarring is typically minimal compared to other surgical methods.
For patients with melanoma, we sometimes do Mohs surgery in very early stages when the cancer is confined to the top layers of skin. In these cases, we usually recommend additional follow-up care and skin cancer surveillance to protect your long-term health.
If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer — or you’re concerned about a suspicious spot — early treatment can save your life. At Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center, we provide expert skin cancer evaluation and treatment, including advanced options like Mohs surgery. Contact us online or by phone today to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward clear, healthy skin.