Surgical Services - Mohs Surgery

The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). The most effective surgical technique for treating these types of skin cancer is Mohs Surgery.  However, Mohs surgery is not limited to treating just these types of skin cancer it is also successful in treating the following:

• Eyes
• Nose
• Ears
• Scalp
• Fingers
• Toes
• Genitals

Those also suffering from large, aggressive, or rapidly growing skin cancers have found Mohs surgery a gold standard in treatment.  Additionally, in some cases of Melanoma, Mohs surgery is increasingly being used as a successful treatment method.

The Mohs Surgical procedure is performed by a specially trained doctor who fulfills the role of surgical removal, pathologist, and surgical reconstruction. At St. Bernards, Dr. Colton Nielson is our board-certified Mohs Surgeon. His talent and skills have allowed St. Bernards to broaden the care available to our community.

Advantages of Mohs Surgery

• Mohs surgery is an efficient and cost-effective treatment. It requires a single visit and is performed on an outpatient surgery basis. Your surgeon will use local anesthesia, and all lab work is done on-site.
• The surgeon examines 100% of tumor margins, saves healthy tissue, and leaves the smallest scar possible.
• Mohs Surgery offers the highest cure rate—up to 99% for skin cancer that has not been treated and up to 94% for skin cancer that recurs after previous treatment.

What to expect during Mohs Surgery

The Mohs surgery is completed in stages during a single visit. It begins with removing a layer of tissue, then the surgeon examines the tissue under a microscope in our on-site lab. Utilizing the on-site lab allows our surgeons to address any cancer cells remaining. This provides the surgeon with the exact area where to locate the cancerous cells and remove an additional layer of tissue from that specific location. This technique saves as much healthy tissue as possible and improves patient recovery. The doctor repeats this process until no cancer cells remain.

Steps of Mohs Surgery 

• Step 1: Examination and Prep
• Step 2: Top layer removal
• Step 3: Lab analysis
• Step 4: Microscopic examination
• Step 5: Second layer removal
• Step 6: Wound repair
• Step 7: Finishing up