Mohs micrographic surgery is the most precise and effective treatment for common skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. At Dermatology Associates Skin & Cancer Center, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon Dr. Christopher Wolfe performs this advanced technique to ensure the highest cure rates for skin cancers with minimal tissue loss.
Remove Skin Cancer With Maximum Precision
Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized procedure used to remove skin cancer with unmatched precision. During the surgery, Dr. Wolfe carefully removes the cancerous tissue with a thin margin of normal-appearing skin around it, then examines the tissue under a microscope in real time to ensure all cancer cells are eliminated. This method evaluates 100% of the surgical margins, compared to a standard excision, which evaluates only 1%, while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. As one of twelve fellowship-trained Mohs & Reconstructive Surgeons between Pensacola and Tallahassee, and the only one in Dothan, Alabama, Dr. Wolfe offers the highest cure rates possible.
Your Mohs Micrographic Surgery Session
Your Mohs procedure takes place entirely in the office under local anesthesia. The process begins by marking the visible tumor and removing a thin layer of tissue, usually a few millimeters thick. That layer of tissue is carefully labeled, frozen, and sliced horizontally into sections, which are then placed under a microscope. This allows Dr. Wolfe to evaluate 100% of the tissue margins, both the outer edges and the deep surface, right on site.
If microscopic cancer cells are found, Dr. Wolfe pinpoints their exact location on a detailed map and removes another thin layer only from that precise area. This step-by-step process continues until every margin is completely clear. Once the cancer is removed, Dr. Wolfe may reconstruct the wound immediately to minimize scarring and preserve the natural appearance.
What Does Mohs Micrographic Surgery Treat?
Mohs micrographic surgery is used to treat the most common forms of skin cancer, particularly those that develop in areas where preserving healthy tissue is essential, such as the face, ears, neck, hands, and feet. This is especially effective for aggressive, large, or recurrent skin cancers that may return after other treatments. Because it evaluates 100% of the surgical margin, Mohs offers the highest cure rates while maintaining cosmetic and functional integrity.
Dr. Wolfe most often performs Mohs surgery for:
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma in situ and early invasive melanoma
- Recurrent or previously treated skin cancers
- Rare aggressive cancers Merkel cell carcinoma
- Dermatofibroma Sarcoma Protuberans
- Locations such as the head and neck, hands, shins where conservation of normal tissue is paramount
Mohs Micrographic Surgery vs. Excision Surgery
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
During Mohs surgery, Dr. Wolfe removes the visible tumor in very thin layers. Each layer is immediately examined under a microscope to check for remaining cancer cells before moving on. This continues until all cancer is cleared. Because every single edge and depth of the tissue is examined, Mohs evaluates 100% of the surgical margins. As a result, only 1 in 100 cancers may return, making it the most effective treatment available.
Excision Surgery
During a standard excision, the surgeon removes the visible tumor with a wider margin of surrounding tissue, which is then sent to an outside lab for evaluation by another specialist. Only small vertical slices are examined—less than 1% of the total margin—leaving a higher risk that hidden cancer cells may remain, causing about 1 in 20 cancers to return. Results can take up to a week, and if cancer is found at the margin, the procedure must be repeated weeks later. Occasionally other surgeons who can’t perform Mohs surgery will request same-day “frozen sections,” but this method still evaluates only about 1% of the margin and carries similarly high recurrence rates.
Advantages of Mohs
Micrographic Surgery
Highest Cure Rate Available
Mohs surgery offers a cure rate of up to 99% for many common skin cancers by examining 100% of the surgical margins. This detailed evaluation ensures that no cancer cells are left behind, significantly reducing the risk of recurrence and providing peace of mind.
Lowest Recurrence Rate
Because Mohs eliminates even microscopic extensions of cancer, only about 1 in 100 treated cancers return, compared to 1 in 20 with excision, and 1 in 18 with superficial radiation therapy.. This makes Mohs the most reliable option for both initial and recurrent skin cancers, reducing the need for repeat surgeries later.
Maximum Tissue Preservation
By removing cancer layer by layer and stopping once the margins are clear, Mohs surgery preserves as much healthy tissue as possible. This is especially important in areas like the face, ears, and hands, where maintaining function and natural appearance is essential.
Immediate Results and Reconstruction
Because each tissue layer is examined in real time, Dr. Wolfe can confirm complete cancer removal during the visit. Once the cancer is cleared, reconstruction can often be performed immediately, minimizing downtime and eliminating the need for multiple appointments.
Advantages of Choosing a Fellowship-trained Mohs Surgeon
While many dermatologists perform Mohs surgery, only fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons have completed advanced, ACGME-accredited training under the direct supervision of leading experts in the field. These highly competitive one- to two-year programs provide extensive hands-on experience with complex skin cancers and advanced reconstructive techniques, ensuring exceptional precision and outcomes.
Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons, such as Dr. Wolfe, have performed thousands of procedures and reconstructions, offering patients the highest possible cure rates and optimal cosmetic results. When selecting a surgeon, look for the FACMS credential — it signifies membership in the American College of Mohs Surgery, an organization that admits only those who have completed accredited fellowship training.
Mastery Shaped by Experience
Dr. Wolfe’s expertise in Mohs surgery and facial reconstructive surgery comes from the pursuit of the most advanced training available and decades of focused experience.
18,000
Mohs Surgeries
40,000
Reconstructive Surgeries
Schedule Your Consultation With a Fellowship-trained Mohs Surgeon
Dermatology Associates Skin & Cancer Center is a trusted destination for expert skin cancer care. Dr. Christopher Wolfe, our Double Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Mohs Micrographic & Reconstructive Surgeon offers unparalleled expertise and has had the highest level of training possible for removal and reconstruction of skin cancer. Dr. Wolfe guides each patient through every stage of care and supports them throughout recovery. If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer or need a second opinion, schedule your consultation today.
