Dr. Alysa Herman

Yes, there are a number of skin cancer treatments other than Mohs surgery, but none as effective. Excision removes the cancerous cells and healthy tissue surrounding the tumor, often creating an unsightly scar. Another option involves scraping and cauterizing to destroy the cancerous cells. Nonsurgical treatments may be recommended for certain types of skin cancer, or if the tumor is very large.

The Mohs procedure is proven to be the most effective treatment for skin cancer, but there is no guarantee that you won't develop skin cancer in the future. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are among the most common types of cancers in the world. It's important to take skin cancer prevention measures, such as wearing sunscreen daily, wearing a hat, and covering skin as much as possible when you'll be in direct sunlight for any length of time.

General surgeons and dermatologists can perform the procedure, but I recommend finding a Mohs surgery specialist certified by the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS). ACMS certification means the surgeon has met a number of rigorous requirements and has advanced training and experience performing the technique.

Age isn't necessarily the primary factor in determining if someone is a good candidate for Mohs surgery. If your parent is in good general health, Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for skin cancer. It can be a tedious process, especially for patients in their 80s or even their 90s, so that is something your parent should discuss with his or her physician.

Mohs is actually the name of the doctor who first developed this surgical technique in the 1930s, Dr. Frederic Mohs. Dr. Mohs was a University of Wisconsin professor. In the decades since Dr. Mohs' groundbreaking work, other researchers and surgeons have continued to refine the technique.

Mohs surgery involves several steps that are all designed to remove cancerous cells while leaving healthy tissue intact. To do this, the surgeon begins by removing the visible tumor. She then removes a thin layer of skin at a time from the treatment area and examines it under a microscope to determine if there are additional cancer cells. This process of excision and examination continues until no cancerous cells are detected.

The Mohs surgery process involves a meticulous technique that effectively removes cancerous cells without needlessly damaging other tissue. Because the surgeon doesn't simply excise (cut away) the cancer, a Mohs procedure takes much longer to complete. The specific time varies from patient to patient, but we recommend planning to spend several hours at the appointment.