UF Health Skin Cancer Program: Mohs Micrographic Surgery

What is Mohs surgery?

UF Health’s Mohs surgery is a quick, precise way to remove skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell tumors. The technique is done in an office and keeps as much healthy skin as possible.

Why use Mohs surgery?

The doctor removes one thin layer of skin at a time, looks at it under a microscope, and keeps removing tissue until no cancer cells remain. Because the surgeon checks every edge of the tumor, the chances of the cancer coming back are very low. The doctor often repairs the wound right away using stitches, a skin flap, or a skin graft.

When is it used?

Mohs surgery is best for cancers that are large, on the face, neck, hands, feet, legs, or genitals, or that have unclear borders. It is also used when keeping healthy skin matters most.

UF Health benefits

• Up to a 99% cure rate for firsttime tumors
• Removes every edge of the cancer while sparing healthy tissue
• One outpatient visit with local anesthesia and wound care in the same room
• After treatment the patient is sent back to the referring doctor for followup