Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) is the most precise and effective treatment for many skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. During the procedure, thin layers of skin are removed one at a time and examined under a microscope until no cancer cells are detected. This method offers cure rates as high as 99% while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. It is especially valuable for treating cancers in delicate or highly visible areas such as the face, ears, and hands.

While many physicians perform Mohs surgery, not all have completed a formal fellowship. Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons undergo an additional year of intensive, hands-on training beyond dermatology residency, under the direct mentorship of experienced experts. This training includes managing and interpreting over 500 Mohs surgery cases—covering both routine skin cancers and highly complex tumors in sensitive areas such as the face, ears, and hands.

Fellowship programs also provide advanced, highly specialized training in repairing surgical defects, with a focus on both function and appearance. This means fellowship-trained surgeons are uniquely skilled in reconstructive techniques that restore form, preserve movement, and achieve the best possible cosmetic outcome.

By choosing a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, you are selecting a physician with the highest level of expertise in cancer removal, tissue preservation, histopathology interpretation, and specialized reconstruction—ensuring your care is both thorough and personalized.

1. Local anesthesia: We numb the area so you stay comfortable and awake.
2. First tissue layer removed: The visible cancer is carefully removed.
3. Microscopic analysis: The tissue is examined in our on-site lab for any remaining cancer cells.
4. Additional layers (if needed): Only areas with cancer are removed, layer by layer.
5. Waiting between stages: You relax in a private room while we check each layer.
6. Cancer fully removed: Once clear, we discuss repair options immediately.
7. Same-day completion: Most patients finish their procedure and go home the same day with wound care instructions..

Standard excision involves removing the visible skin cancer along with a margin of surrounding healthy skin, which is then sent to a lab for analysis over the next several days. With Mohs surgery, the tissue is examined on-site during the procedure, allowing us to precisely trace and remove any remaining cancer cells while sparing as much normal skin as possible. This results in higher cure rates and smaller scars, especially for cancers in sensitive or cosmetically important areas.