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Do Doctors Use MOHS Surgery for Moles That Are Suspicious or is It Just for Cancerous Skin?

asked 5 months ago by mary eleanor
Latest answer by F. Victor Rueckl, MD
Question viewed 45 times
Tags: cancer, moles, protocol

my son had MOHS surgery on a mole. i was curious if this can be done if it is just suspicious or does it have to be cancerous to do this procedure?

3 answers to Do Doctors Use MOHS Surgery for Moles That Are Suspicious or is It Just for Cancerous Skin?

+1

Mohs is for skin cancers only

Mohs is used for removing skin cancers, primarily aggressive skin cancers, like basal cells, recurring squamous cells, and some melanoma. It is used in areas that don't have a lot of skin to give, i.e., the face, nose, ears, genital area, hands, etc. Because on the body (like the trunk) you can just take a larger portion of skin out and suture it closed. Mohs is used in areas where we need to retain as much skin as possible and make sure the margins of the removed skin is clear. I would... more
F. Victor Rueckl, MD

Las Vegas Dermatologist
+1

Mohs for moles

Since Mohs surgery is intended for clearing biopsy proven skin cancers, it would not be a good treatment option for a lesion that has not been thoroughly evaluated by a dermatopathologist. Mohs surgery uses what is called "en-face" margin exam which allows the Mohs surgeon to evaluate a lesion from the bottom up and outside in. Moles need to be examined by traditional "breadloaf" sectioning which allows the pathologist see the entire lesion from top to bottom. more
Stacey Tull, MD

Chesterfield Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Mohs is for skin cancer

Mohs micrographic surgery is for clearance of skin cancers (i.e basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sometimes melanoma in situ, and other rare skin cancers). Using it for a mole is not an appropriate use of the procedure, and insurance would not cover it.
Brent Spencer, MD

Frisco Dermatologic Surgeon

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