Highest reported cure rate
Recognized as the skin cancer treatment with the highest reported cure rate.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
The skin cancer treatment with the highest reported cure rate.
What is Mohs surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized skin cancer removal technique in which the cancer is removed in stages and each stage is examined under the microscope during the same visit, until no cancer remains. It has the highest reported cure rate of any skin cancer treatment and preserves as much healthy tissue as possible.
Inside the procedure
From diagnosis to Mohs surgery, explained
Hearing that a biopsy shows skin cancer raises immediate questions. In this short clip our team walks through how a diagnosis is reached and how Mohs micrographic surgery is used to remove the cancer while sparing healthy tissue.
Understanding the sequence ahead of time makes the day of surgery far less daunting.
Overview
Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized, highly effective technique for the removal of skin cancer.
What it is
What Mohs surgery is
Mohs surgery is typically reserved for treatment of cancers that are large, recurrent, aggressive histologically and at high risk for recurrence or metastasis. It is also indicated for cancers located in areas such as the nose, ears, eyelids, lips, hairline, hands, feet and genitals, in which maximal preservation of healthy tissue is critical for cosmetic or functional purposes.
The procedure was developed in the 1930s by a general surgeon, Dr. Frederic Mohs, at the University of Wisconsin and is now practiced throughout the world.
Mohs surgery differs from other skin cancer treatments in that it permits the immediate and complete microscopic examination of the removed cancerous tissue, so that all “roots” and extensions of the cancer can be eradicated. Due to the methodical manner in which tissue is removed and examined, Mohs surgery has been recognized as the skin cancer treatment with the highest reported cure rate.
How Mohs works
The Mohs procedure, stage by stage
Skin cancers often have roots that extend beyond the visible tumor. Mohs surgery removes the cancer in stages, examining the tissue under the microscope between each stage until no cancer remains.
Conditions & indications
When Mohs is recommended
Large skin cancers
Recurrent skin cancers
Histologically aggressive tumors
Tumors at high risk for recurrence or metastasis
Cancers on the nose, ears, eyelids, lips or hairline
Cancers on the hands, feet or genitals
What to expect
What patients can expect
- 01
In-office procedure
Mohs surgery is performed in our state-of-the-art office with fully equipped surgical and laboratory facilities and experienced staff.
- 02
Local anesthesia
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
- 03
Same-visit microscopic review
Removed tissue is examined immediately and completely so that all roots and extensions of the cancer can be eradicated.
- 04
Reconstruction and recovery
When clinically indicated, reconstruction of the surgical defect is part of the treatment pathway. Dr. George Papanicolaou, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, performs complex reconstruction of facial and body defects following Mohs excision of skin cancers. Detailed post-operative care is covered in our Procedural Instructions.
Before surgery
How a suspicious lesion is evaluated
Mohs begins long before the day of surgery. Our dermatology physician assistant explains how a lesion is examined, documented and biopsied.
That evaluation determines whether Mohs is the right approach for your skin cancer.
The procedure
Your Mohs surgeon
Dr. Michael Wangia is a board-certified Dermatologist, Dermatopathologist and Mohs Micrographic Surgeon. He has had an incredible level of exposure from common and rare malignant tumor pathology to challenging tumor locations and complex wound reconstruction.
When reconstruction of the surgical defect is clinically indicated, Dr. George Papanicolaou, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, performs complex reconstruction of facial and body defects following Mohs excision of skin cancers.
Benefits
Benefits of Mohs surgery
Complete margin examination
Immediate and complete microscopic examination of the removed tissue.
Tissue preservation
Maximal preservation of healthy tissue in cosmetically and functionally critical areas.
Single-day, in-office care
Performed in our office under local anesthesia with our own laboratory on site.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Who is a candidate for Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is typically reserved for skin cancers that are large, recurrent, histologically aggressive or at high risk of recurrence or spread, and for cancers on areas such as the nose, ears, eyelids, lips, hairline, hands, feet and genitals, where preserving healthy tissue is critical. Your dermatologist will advise whether Mohs is right for your diagnosis.
What should I expect during Mohs surgery?
The area is numbed with local anesthesia and the visible tumor is removed. The tissue is mapped and examined under the microscope in our on-site laboratory. If cancer remains, another thin layer is removed from that precise spot, and the process repeats until no cancer is seen. Your surgeon then discusses repair of the site.
Will I be asleep for the procedure?
No. Mohs surgery is performed under local anesthesia.
How long does Mohs surgery recovery take?
Recovery depends on the size and location of the surgical site and on whether reconstruction is performed. Follow the Mohs Surgery Procedural Instructions provided by your care team, which cover wound care and activity after the procedure.
Is Mohs surgery covered by insurance?
We participate in most major health insurance plans, including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicaid, Freedom, Optimum, Orlando Health, Multiplan and DNS (including Magellan, Devoted and ABH). Coverage depends on your specific plan, so please verify your benefits with your insurer when you schedule.
Your care team
Providers who offer this service
Mohs surgery scheduling
How do I schedule Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery appointments at our Winter Garden, Apopka and The Villages offices are coordinated by our surgical coordinator. Contact Rachel to schedule or ask about your procedure.
Rachel Jennings
Surgical Coordinator
Dermatology | Dermatopathology | Mohs Surgery
- Phone
- (352) 775-8286
- Fax
- (352) 775-8216
Please do not send personal health information by email.
Appointments
Schedule a Mohs Consultation
Book a visit at any of our four Central Florida facilities.