Mohs Surgery

Effective, Minimally Invasive Removal of Cancerous Skin Tissue

Mohs Surgery (also known as Mohs micrographic surgery) is a technique utilized by trained medical professionals to treat skin cancer by progressively removing thin layers of cancer-containing skin. As they are removed, skin layers are checked for cancerous cells. The treatment is complete when all cancerous tissue has been removed and only cancer-free tissue remains.

Benefits of Mohs Surgery

Here are some of the benefits of Mohs Surgery over other, more invasive techniques:

• The surgery is designed to be precise, and do minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
• The surgery is generally done as an outpatient procedure using only a local anesthetic.

Because tissue analysis is done at the time of surgery, the surgeon is able to verify that all cancer cells have been removed at the time of the procedure. This reduces the need for additional treatments and improves patient outcomes.

Who is a candidate for Mohs surgery?

• Patients with basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, some forms of melanoma and other skin cancers
• Patients with skin cancers that have a high risk of recurrence (or that have recurred)
• Patients with skin cancer in areas around the face (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hairline), on the hands or feet or other areas where it is desirable to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible
• Patients with large or aggressive skin cancers or who have skin cancers with borders that are difficult to define

Dr. Adams

Dr. Adams spent three intensive years at Michigan State University where he completed his residency in dermatology with a special focus in dermatological surgery.

Learn More

For more information on our dermatology services, please call 530.528.4456 or contact us. Or click here to Find a Doctor.