Mohs Surgery in Waukee

What is Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery, also known as Mohs micrographic surgery, is a highly specialized form of skin cancer surgery known for its high success rate and precision. It is most commonly used to treat certain skin cancers that are large, aggressive, likely to recur, or located in sensitive or highly visible areas, such as the face, hands, ears, or nose.

The goal of Mohs surgery goal is to completely remove all cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy surrounding skin as possible. This tissue-sparing approach helps minimize scarring and supports optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes. 

Mohs micrographic surgery is commonly used to treat:

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma
• Other forms of skin cancer

What to expect during Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery takes place in an outpatient setting with The Iowa Clinic's fellowship trained Mohs surgeon. Your surgeon will uses a local anesthetic to numb the area completely. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the visible portion of the skin cancer and then removes additional layers of tissues from the surrounding area. Each layer is then examined to check for the presence of cancer cells. This process is repeated until no more cancer cells are found.

One of the advantages of Mohs surgery is that you will get your results immediately, as you usually do not leave your appointment in Waukee until all signs of skin cancer are removed. You may have follow up appointments to ensure you are healing correctly

What are the risks of Mohs surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with Mohs surgery. These may include bleeding, infection, scarring, and nerve damage. However, the risks associated with this procedure are generally low, and most patients experience a full recovery within a few weeks.

The Iowa Clinic's board-certified and fellowship trained Mohs surgeon is ready to help you take the next steps in becoming cancer free. Call 515.875.9766 to schedule an appointment.