HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE
TISSUE-SPARING CARE
ON-SITE MICROSCOPIC REVIEW
FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION SUPPORT
EDUCATION & CARE
What Makes Mohs Surgery Different?
Mohs surgery is often used for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, recurrent tumors, aggressive tumors, and skin cancers in high-risk facial areas such as the nose, eyes, mouth, and ears.
During Mohs surgery, thin layers of tissue are removed and carefully reviewed under a microscope. This process helps identify remaining cancer cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
How Mohs Works
1
Remove
The visible tumor is carefully removed with a thin layer of surrounding tissue.
2
Map & Review
Tissue is mapped, color-coded, and examined under a microscipe to check the margins.
3
Repeat if Needed
Additional layers are removed only where cancer cells remain until the margins are clear.
The Result? The highest cure rates with the greatest preservation of healthy tissue?
When Mohs May Be Recommended
When to See a mohs surgeon ga for Mohs surgery
High-Risk Facial Areas
Often used for skin cancers near the nose, eyes, mouth, ears, hands, feet, or genitals.
Recurrent Tumors
Helpful when skin cancer has returned after previous treatment.
Large or Aggressive Tumors
Recommended for certain tumors with aggressive growth patterns or unclear edges.
Tissue Preservation
A precise option when preserving healthy tissue is especially important.
Learn About Types of Skin Cancer
Dr. Daniel J. Sheehan
Advanced Expertise in Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Dr. Daniel J. Sheehan was among the first group of physicians in the nation to earn subspecialty board certification in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery (Mohs Surgery) through the American Board of Dermatology. This distinction recognizes his advanced expertise in the surgical treatment of skin cancer and places him among the earliest dermatologists in the United States to achieve this certification.
Dr. Sheehan’s specialized expertise is an important part of the comprehensive care available at UDermic Health, where patients have access to board-certified physicians and surgeons with expertise in Dermatology, Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery, Dermatopathology (Skin Pathology), Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Learn more about Dr. Daniel J. Sheehan and his experience and credentials.
Examining the Tissue
What Is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly specialized technique used to remove certain types of skin cancer with a high degree of precision. It is particularly effective for cancers that may extend beyond what is visible on the surface of the skin through small, irregular projections or “roots.”
Unlike metastatic cancer, which can spread to distant organs, many skin cancers grow through contiguous or local spread, meaning cancer cells extend into the surrounding skin and tissue. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are common examples, along with certain less common skin tumors. Mohs surgery allows these extensions to be carefully identified and removed while preserving as much healthy surrounding tissue as possible.
The tissue is processed and prepared so that very thin sections can be examined under a microscope. While this is taking place, the surgical area is temporarily covered with a dressing and the patient waits in the office.
The Mohs surgeon carefully examines the tissue to determine whether any cancer cells remain along the edges or deepest portion of the removed layer.
If no cancer cells are identified, the Mohs portion of the procedure is complete.
If cancer remains, its precise location can be identified using the surgical map. The surgeon then returns to only the area where cancer cells remain and removes another thin layer of tissue. The newly removed tissue is processed and examined in the same manner.
This process is repeated until the examined margins are free of cancer.
What Happens After the Skin Cancer Is Removed?
Not every skin cancer requires Mohs surgery. Your dermatologist will determine the most appropriate treatment based on the type of cancer, its location, size, microscopic characteristics, and other individual factors.
Mohs surgery may be recommended for skin cancers that:
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Occur in high-risk or functionally important areas, particularly the nose, eyelids, lips, ears, and other areas of the face
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Have returned after previous treatment
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Are large or have poorly defined borders
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Demonstrate aggressive characteristics under the microscope
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Occur in areas where preserving as much healthy tissue as possible is especially important
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Have other features that increase the risk of recurrence
How Does Mohs Surgery Work?
Why Is Mohs Surgery So Precise?
Mohs surgery is named after Dr. Frederic Mohs, who developed the technique. What makes Mohs different from traditional skin cancer surgery is the combination of surgical removal and immediate microscopic examination of the tissue.
The procedure begins by removing the visible portion of the skin cancer. The Mohs surgeon then removes a thin layer of tissue from the area surrounding and beneath the tumor. The tissue is carefully mapped and marked so its exact location on the patient's skin can be identified throughout the procedure.
The removed tissue is divided into sections and precisely color-coded to maintain its orientation. These markings correspond with a detailed surgical map created by the Mohs surgeon.
One of the primary advantages of Mohs surgery is its ability to remove skin cancer while preserving as much healthy surrounding tissue as possible.
Rather than removing a larger amount of normal skin as a precaution, the Mohs surgeon uses microscopic examination and detailed mapping to determine exactly where additional tissue needs to be removed.
This tissue-sparing approach can be especially valuable when treating skin cancers located on areas where preserving healthy tissue is important for both appearance and function.
Specialized Mohs Surgery at UDermic Health
Daniel J. Sheehan, MD brings extensive experience in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment to UDermic Health. Dr. Sheehan is board-certified in Dermatology, Dermatopathology, and Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery and previously served as Director of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Director of Dermatopathology at the Medical College of Georgia.
His expertise in Dermatopathology, the microscopic diagnosis and evaluation of diseases of the skin, provides an additional level of specialized training that is particularly relevant to Mohs surgery. Microscopic examination is a critical component of the Mohs technique because it allows the surgeon to identify remaining cancer cells and determine where additional tissue needs to be removed.
At UDermic Health, this combination of dermatology, dermatopathology, Mohs surgery, and reconstructive expertise supports our comprehensive approach to skin cancer care from diagnosis through treatment and reconstruction.