Mohs Surgery

The Most Effective Skin Cancer Treatment with Exceptional Cosmetic Results

Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly specialized and effective technique for removing skin cancer, offering the highest cure rates—up to 99%. Developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic Mohs, this method allows for the immediate and complete microscopic examination of cancerous tissue, ensuring all “roots” and extensions are eliminated.

At our practice, Dr. Aboutalebi performs this gold-standard procedure, which not only maximizes cancer removal but also preserves as much healthy skin as possible.

The Mohs Process: What to Expect

Consultation

At Northstar Mohs & Skin Surgery, your care begins with a thorough consultation. During this visit, your dermatologist will explain the procedure in detail, outline each step, and answer any questions you may have. You’ll receive clear guidance on what to expect before, during, and after treatment. Following your consultation, our team will schedule your surgery for the date and time most convenient for you.

Removal

The area to be treated is cleansed, marked, and injected with a local anesthetic. Once the area is numb, your Mohs surgeon will carefully remove a thin layer of tissue from the affected area. This layer includes the visible portion of the skin cancer along with a small margin of surrounding tissue. The goal is to remove as little healthy skin as possible while ensuring complete removal of cancerous cells.

Preparation of Tissue

The removed tissue is taken to our on-site laboratory for immediate processing. The specimen is carefully mapped, marked with colored dyes to indicate orientation, and then frozen. Ultra-thin sections are prepared for microscopic examination. This precise preparation allows your surgeon to match what is seen under the microscope with the exact location on your skin.

Microscopic Examination

Using a high-powered microscope, your Mohs surgeon examines the entire margin of the tissue to check for any remaining cancer cells. If cancer cells are detected, your surgeon will return to the exact area identified and remove another thin layer of tissue. This process is repeated layer by layer until no cancer cells remain—ensuring the highest cure rate possible while preserving healthy tissue.

Reconstruction

Once all cancer cells have been successfully removed, your surgeon will determine the best way to repair the surgical site. Depending on the size and location of the area, options may include allowing the wound to heal naturally, closing it with stitches, or using a skin flap or graft. In certain cases, particularly for larger or more complex tumors, a specialized surgeon such as an oculoplastic surgeon (for areas around the eye) or a facial plastic surgeon may be involved to ensure the best possible outcome.Our goal is to achieve both optimal healing and an excellent cosmetic result.

Follow-Up Appointment

A follow-up visit will be scheduled to assess your healing and ensure there are no complications. During this appointment, your dermatologist will evaluate the surgical site, review wound care, remove stitches if needed, and address any questions or concerns.

Continued Care

Even after successful Mohs surgery, ongoing skin checks are essential. Your Northstar Mohs and Skin Surgery team will create a personalized plan for routine skin exams and self-monitoring to help detect any new or recurring skin cancers early. After your surgical care is complete, we will refer you back to your primary dermatologist for your full-body skin exams and ongoing dermatologic care.

When Mohs Surgery Is Right for You

Your doctor will discuss whether Mohs surgery is right for your specific situation based on your cancer’s characteristics and location. Not all skin cancers require Mohs surgery, and other effective treatments may be appropriate for lower-risk cancers.

Mohs surgery is a specialized treatment recommended for:

Skin cancers located in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas (face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, hands, hairline, feet, or genitals.)
Recurrent skin cancers that have returned after previous treatment or cases where the initial excision was incomplete.
Large or aggressive tumors.
Cancers with poorly defined borders.
Areas where tissue preservation is critical
Patients with genetic conditions that lead to multiple skin cancers.
Perineural invasion (Cancer growing along nerves)
Selected cases of melanoma in situ and other specific skin malignancies or rare tumors.

The Highest Cure Rates Available

99% cure rate

for primary basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas

94% cure rate

for recurrent skin cancers

Significantly superior to conventional excision, radiation, or other treatments

What this means for you: Effective treatment with careful attention to preserving healthy tissue.

Maximum Preservation of Healthy Tissue

Mohs surgery removes cancer with microscopic precision. We examine 100% of the surgical margin in real-time, removing only cancerous tissue, nothing more.  
What this means for you: Smaller scars, better cosmetic outcomes, and preservation of healthy skin, especially critical on your face, hands, and other visible or functional areas. 

Each tissue layer is immediately examined under the microscope while you wait. If cancer remains, we know exactly where it is and remove only that specific area. The process continues until we confirm your margins are completely clear.