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Mohs Surgery
World-class surgical care for skin cancer
Mohs Surgery at Beverly Hospital
Beverly Hospital offers Mohs micrographic surgery to treat certain types of skin cancer. If you’re not sure what to expect after your recent diagnosis, rest assured that you’re in good hands with us.
Our specialists use Mohs surgery to treat basal and squamous cell carcinomas on certain body areas where it is important to preserve tissue for functional or cosmetic purposes. These include a variety of body parts:
- Eyelid
- Fingertip
- Lip
- Nose
We also can use Mohs surgery to treat tumors that have returned after surgery or to treat malignant melanoma — particularly when it’s on the face.
Long-Term Outcomes for Mohs Surgery
Cure rates for basal and squamous cell carcinoma are approximately:
- 99% for those undergoing the procedure for the first time
- 96% for those with tumors that have failed conventional plastic surgery
For melanoma, long-term outcomes are based on tumor thickness and ulceration, and whether the cancer has spread to the sentinel node.
Highly Trained Team
Our physicians who perform Mohs surgery have received specialty training in dermatology and pathology. You’ll benefit from a multispecialty team of physicians and surgeons, nurses, therapists and technologists.
Learn More About Mohs Surgery
How Mohs Micrographic Surgery Works
In most cases, you’ll undergo Mohs surgery right in your doctor’s office. You’ll receive a local anesthetic, meaning that only the area of the procedure will be numb.
During the procedure, your specialist removes cancerous tissue — one thin layer at a time. Then, we examine each layer of skin under a microscope. We continue to remove thin layers of skin until we’ve removed all cancerous tissue.
Your specialist closes the wound with stitches, a skin graft or a flap. In many cases, you won’t need reconstructive surgery after Mohs surgery. That’s because the wounds are so small and heal naturally. For extensive tumors, we coordinate your care with other Beverly Hospital specialists in oculoplastics, ear, nose and throat, plastics or general cosmetic plastics.
Learn more about Mohs surgery from the American College of Mohs Surgery.
Cutaneous Oncology Group
The Cutaneous Oncology Group is a multidisciplinary service designed to provide state-of-the-art care for people with skin cancer. The service is available at Beverly Hospital's Cancer Care Center.
Those who receive care from the Cutaneous Oncology Group benefit from experts from multiple specialties working together in a highly coordinated manner. This sharing of expertise provides an unparalleled level of care for your cancer.
Depending on your needs and care plan, specialists working in the Cutaneous Oncology Group program include:
- Dermatologic surgeons
- Dermatologists
- Dermatopathologists/pathologists
- ENT physicians
- Genetic counselors
- Head & neck surgeons
- Medical oncologists
- Mohs micrographic surgeons
- Plastic surgeons
- Radiation therapists
- Social work/support network
- Surgical oncologists
Preparing for Mohs Surgery
There are specific steps you’ll need to take during the week before your surgery, including arranging for a ride home the day of surgery. Carefully follow any instructions from your doctor. Let them know in advance if you have any symptoms of an infection, cold or other illness.
Your doctor will instruct you on which medicines to stop taking before surgery, such as certain vitamin supplements, blood thinners, oral diabetic and other medications.
Get Started
Take the first step on your journey toward better health.
Types of Skin Cancer We Treat
Our specialists offer Mohs surgery for many types of skin cancer, including:
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Melanoma
- Recurrent skin cancers
- Squamous cell carcinoma
Services & Specialties
Your Beverly Hospital cancer care team coordinates with other specialty providers throughout our hospital. This ensures continuity for all your care needs.
