Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly specialized form of skin cancer surgery. With the Mohs technique, trained physicians are able to look past visible superficial disease to precisely identify and excise the full root depth of a tumor, layer by layer, while keeping surrounding healthy tissue intact.
Advantages of Mohs surgery
Mohs surgery offers two clinical advantages over alternative skin cancer strategies:
- High cure rate. For most common skin malignancies, Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rate, approximately 99% for primary tumors.
- Healthy skin preserved. Because each stage is examined under the microscope in real time, the maximum amount of healthy skin is preserved. This precise border control is especially important on high-visibility areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, and hands.
Your Mohs surgeon
Read the professional background of our surgeon, Dr. Nathan Uebelhoer.
Forms to complete before your surgery
Please fill out these check-in forms before your scheduled surgical appointment with Dr. Uebelhoer:
- MOHS SURGERY: Pre-Op Counseling & Consent Form
- SURGERY (Non-Mohs): Pre-Op Counseling & Consent Form
- CIRUGÍA DE MOHS: Asesoramiento para cirugía y consentimiento (Español)
- CIRUGÍA CON DR. UEBELHOER: Asesoramiento para cirugía y consentimiento (Español)
Learn more about Mohs surgery
- Mohs Micrographic Surgery Overview (FAQs)
- Skin Cancer Foundation: Mohs Insights
- American College of Mohs Surgery Patient Resource
- Melanoma awareness and prevention video
Regular full body skin exams help find skin cancer early.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mohs micrographic surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly specialized form of skin cancer surgery. Trained physicians identify and remove the full root depth of a tumor layer by layer while keeping surrounding healthy tissue intact.
What is the cure rate for Mohs surgery?
For most common skin malignancies, Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rate, approximately 99% for primary tumors.
Why is Mohs surgery used on the face and hands?
Each stage is examined under the microscope in real time, which preserves the maximum amount of healthy skin. This precise border control is especially important on high-visibility areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, and hands.
Who performs Mohs surgery at San Diego Family Dermatology?
Dr. Nathan Uebelhoer is our Mohs surgeon.
Do I need to complete forms before Mohs surgery?
Yes. Please complete the pre-op counseling and consent form before your surgical appointment. Forms are available for Mohs and non-Mohs surgery, in English and Spanish.
Schedule a visit
Call 619.267.8303, text 855.487.1609, or request an appointment online. We see patients Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, at our Clairemont, El Cajon, Poway, and National City offices.
This page is for general education and does not replace diagnosis or advice from your own dermatologist or primary physician.