Published on May 19, 2026

Provider with a patient.

Mohs surgery treats non-melanoma skin cancer effectively

By Christopher Burnett, MD, ProHealth dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Nearly 6.1 million adults are treated every year for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, at a cost of $8.9 billion.

Skin cancer can affect anyone, but certain characteristics increase a person’s risk:

  • A lighter natural skin color, or skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily or becomes painful in the sun.
  • Blue or green eyes.
  • Blond or red hair.
  • Certain types of moles and a large number of moles.
  • A history of sunburn or tanning.
  • A personal history or a family history of skin cancer.
  • Older age.

Detecting skin cancer early and treating it promptly can significantly improve outcomes. Skin cancer patients may opt for a procedure known as Mohs micrographic surgery, widely considered the gold standard for skin cancer treatment.

Mohs surgery is a precise and effective method for non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. It offers the lowest recurrence rates, the highest cure rates and some of best cosmetic outcomes of any skin cancer treatment.

A specially trained dermatology surgeon begins by outlining the lesion with ink to guide treatment, then administers local anesthesia. The surgeon uses a scalpel to remove the thinnest possible layer of visible cancer, preserving as much healthy skin as possible. The wound is then bandaged while the patient waits and the tissue is promptly analyzed under a microscope.

The removed tissue is carefully mapped and stained to show exactly where it came from on the body. In the on-site lab, it is frozen, sliced into very thin sections and placed on slides. The surgeon examines these slides under a microscope to check for any remaining cancer cells. If cancer is still present, its exact location is identified and another precise layer can be removed from those specific areas. Some skin cancers can be deceptively large under the skin surface. They may have “roots” or connect to blood vessels, nerves or cartilage. A recurrence of skin cancer can also extend beneath scar tissue.

After the skin cancer has been completely removed, the Mohs surgeon repairs the wound with stitches. This may be accomplished with a straight line of stitches, a skin graft or a skin flap. In some cases, the wound may be left to heal naturally.

The patient is awake during the three- to four-hour surgery and discomfort is usually minimal.

Mohs surgery allows doctors to examine 100 percent of the tissue margins under a microscope, compared with only about one percent in standard excision. It also preserves as much healthy tissue as possible, helping minimize scarring. Because the cancer removal, lab analysis and often reconstruction are completed in a single visit, it is also cost-effective, and cure rates can reach up to 99 percent.

Thanks to its high success rate, Mohs surgery is often the preferred treatment for high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancers. These include cancers located on the nose, eyelids, lips, ears, hairline, hands, feet and genitals. Tumors in other areas — such as the face, scalp, neck, and shins — are generally considered intermediate risk but may also be treated with Mohs depending on individual factors.

To lower your risk of skin cancer, protect your skin from UV rays from the sun and avoid artificial sources of UV exposure like tanning beds and sunlamps. UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stay in the shade as much as possible, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears and neck, and wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours. See a dermatologist for routine skin exams and check your skin regularly for new or changing moles, spots or lesions.

Reducing your risk of skin cancer comes down to consistent sun safety and early detection habits. Protecting your skin not only helps prevent cancer but also preserves your overall health and quality of life.

Christopher Burnett, MD, is a ProHealth dermatologist with fellowship training in Mohs micrographic surgery. Mohs micrographic surgery is performed at the ProHealth Medical Group clinic in Pewaukee. Call 262-696-0808 to learn more. Most insurance plans cover the procedure and the reconstruction of the surgical area.