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Category: Mohs Surgery

Mohs Surgery For Skin Cancer Treatment

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This surgical technique is a highly effective treatment option for skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, caused primarily by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma are the three most common types of skin cancer and are highly treatable when caught early.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized surgical technique for the treatment of skin cancer that involves removing and examining layers of skin until only cancer-free tissue remains. It is the only specialty in medicine where the surgeon is also the pathologist, and it is considered the most effective treatment for BCC and SCC. An advanced technique called immunostaining has made it possible to also treat melanomas using Mohs surgery.

 

How Does It Work?

During Mohs surgery, patients remain awake and receive local anesthesia to numb the operative site. The surgeon will then remove a thin layer of the skin and thoroughly examine it under a microscope, repeating this step until the cancer is completely removed. Afterward, the removal site will be reconstructed during the same appointment. Surgery typically takes two to three hours, with the patient spending the majority of this time waiting comfortably in a room while the tissue is prepared for analysis.

 

The Benefits of Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rates among skin cancer treatments and minimizes the risk of recurrence. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it can effectively cure up to 99% of skin cancers that haven’t been treated before and 94% that have returned after initial treatment. It also spares healthy tissue and leaves the smallest possible scar. Both surgery and reconstruction take place in a single, outpatient visit, and most patients can return to work the next day.

 

“Although a sophisticated skin cancer treatment, the goals of Mohs surgery are simple: keep you comfortable, get the cancer out, and leave you with the least amount of scarring. After performing thousands of Mohs surgeries and complex reconstructions, our team at Uderm is setting the bar for the highest quality skin cancer therapies.”

Jonathan Miller, MD, FACMS, FAAD
Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon, Uderm

 

👉 Schedule an appointment with Uderm today and trust your care to Chattanooga’s fellowship-trained Mohs surgery expert.

 

Written by Rachel Studebaker

This blog post was originally published in HealthScope® Magazine and on HealthScopeMag.com and has been reposted here with permission for informational purposes only. All credit for the content belongs to the original author and source. While we strive to share accurate and valuable information, we do not claim ownership of this material and are not responsible for any changes, updates, or interpretations made since the original publication. For the most up-to-date version, please visit healthscopemag.com.

Choosing the Right Surgeon For Mohs Surgery

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When facing a skin cancer diagnosis, the choice of surgeon is one of the most important decisions you can make. Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the gold standard for treating many types of skin cancer, offering the highest cure rates while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. But not all Mohs surgeons have the same training—and that difference matters.

 

 

Board Certification vs. Fellowship Training

All Mohs surgeons should be board-certified dermatologists, but true expertise goes a step further. Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons complete an additional 1–2 years of intensive, hands-on training under the direct supervision of highly experienced Mohs surgeons in an accredited training program. This fellowship ensures advanced skill in:

  • Removing complex skin cancers with precision
  • Performing same-day microscopic analysis
  • Reconstructing wounds for the best cosmetic and functional outcomes

 

The Loophole You Should Know About

In recent years, a certification loophole has temporarily allowed some dermatologists to present themselves as “Mohs surgeons” without ever completing a formal fellowship. While these individuals may be board-certified in dermatology, they lack the rigorous, supervised training that fellowship provides. For patients, this distinction is critical. Without fellowship training, a surgeon may not have the same level of experience in managing complex or high-risk skin cancers, or in performing advanced reconstructions.

 

Why Fellowship Training Matters for You

Skin cancer treatment isn’t just about removing cancer cells—it’s about achieving the highest cure rate while minimizing scarring and preserving function in sensitive areas like the face, ears, and hands. A fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon is uniquely prepared to balance cancer removal with cosmetic and reconstructive expertise.

 

The Uderm Standard

At Uderm, our Mohs surgeon is both board-certified and fellowship-trained. That means every patient we treat receives care from a surgeon who has completed the highest level of training in skin cancer surgery and reconstruction. It’s one of the many reasons why Uderm is the most trusted name in dermatology in the Chattanooga region.

 

Your Health Deserves the Highest Standard

Don’t settle for anything less when it comes to your skin cancer care. Always ask your surgeon:

  • Are you fellowship-trained in Mohs surgery?
  • Where did you complete your fellowship?
  • How many Mohs cases have you performed?

Your skin—and your health—deserve nothing but the best.

 

👉 Schedule an appointment with Uderm today and trust your care to Chattanooga’s fellowship-trained Mohs surgery expert.