What Is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly precise technique used to treat certain types of skin cancer. During the procedure, cancerous tissue is removed in thin layers and examined under a microscope until no remaining cancer cells are detected.
Because Mohs surgery removes as little healthy tissue as possible, it is often used for skin cancers in areas where preserving surrounding skin is especially important, such as the face, ears, nose, lips, and hands.
What Is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly precise technique used to treat certain types of skin cancer. During the procedure, cancerous tissue is removed in thin layers and examined under a microscope until no remaining cancer cells are detected.
Because Mohs surgery removes as little healthy tissue as possible, it is often used for skin cancers in areas where preserving surrounding skin is especially important, such as the face, ears, nose, lips, and hands.
When Is Mohs Surgery Recommended?
Mohs surgery is commonly recommended for skin cancers that are located in sensitive or highly visible areas, have a higher risk of recurrence, have poorly defined borders, or have returned after previous treatment.
It may be especially appropriate for certain basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, particularly when the cancer is located on the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands, or other areas where preserving healthy tissue is important.
What to Expect During Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery is performed in stages. After the visible skin cancer is removed, a thin layer of surrounding tissue is carefully examined under a microscope. If cancer cells are still present, another small layer is removed only from the area where those cells remain.
This process continues until the margins are clear, helping preserve as much healthy tissue as possible while fully treating the cancer.
Patients are typically awake during the procedure and the area is numbed with local anesthesia. Depending on the size and location of the treated area, reconstruction may be performed afterward to help support healing and appearance.
Skin Cancers We Evaluate and Treat
Memphis Dermatology Clinic evaluates and treats common forms of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, as well as suspicious or changing skin lesions that may require biopsy or further treatment.
Treatment recommendations depend on the type, size, location, depth, and risk level of the cancer. Mohs surgery may be recommended when it offers the best combination of complete cancer removal and preservation of healthy tissue.
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From Jackson, TN
- West toward Memphis on I-40
- Merge onto I-240 West via Exit 10A toward Jackson Miss
- Merge onto Poplar Ave/US-72 E via Exit 15A toward Germantown
- Turn left onto Ridgeway Loop Rd
- Turn right onto Ridge Lake Blvd
- Follow to 795 Ridge Lake Blvd
From Desoto County, MS
- North on I-55 toward Memphis
- Merge onto I-240 East via EXIT 6A toward Nashville
- Merge onto Poplar Ave/US-72 E via Exit 15A toward Germantown â–ª Turn left onto Ridgeway Loop Rd
- Turn right onto Ridge Lake Blvd
- Follow to 795 Ridge Lake Blvd
From Olive Branch, MS
- North on Hwy 305/MS-305 crossing into Tennessee
- Turn slight left to take the Bill Morris Pkwy/TN 385 W
- Merge onto Bill Morris Pkwy/TN-385 West
- Merge onto I-240 East toward Nashville
- Merge onto Poplar Ave/US-72 E via Exit 15A toward Germantown
- Turn left onto Ridgeway Loop Rd
- Turn right onto Ridge Lake Blvd
- Follow to 795 Ridge Lake Blvd
From Collierville
- West on W Poplar Ave/TN-57 toward Memphis
- Take ramp toward Ridgeway Ctr Pkwy/Sweetbriar Rd.
- Merge onto Ridgeway Loop Rd
- Turn right onto Ridge Lake Blvd
- Follow to 795 Ridge Lake Blvd
From Arkansas
- East on I-40 E toward Memphis crossing into Tennessee
- Merge onto I-240 West via Exit 10A toward Jackson Miss
- Merge onto Poplar Ave/US-72 E via Exit 15A toward Germantown â–ª Turn left onto Ridgeway Loop Rd
- Turn right onto Ridge Lake Blvd
- Follow to 795 Ridge Lake Blvd
From Covington, TN
- Southwest on Hwy 14/TN-14
- Merge onto I-40 East toward Nashville
- Merge onto I-240 West via Exit 10A toward Jackson Miss
- Merge onto Poplar Ave/US-72 E via Exit 15A toward Germantown
- Turn left onto Ridgeway Loop Rd
- Turn right onto Ridge Lake Blvd