According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, Mohs surgery takes less tissue than traditional excision, leaves the smallest possible scar, and confirms that all cancer cells are gone before the procedure ends. It’s the most precise skin cancer removal technique available, and it carries the highest cure rate of any treatment for basal and squamous cell carcinoma.

For complex cases that require additional care, we maintain strong relationships and work in conjunction with with other providers in central Minnesota and the Twin Cities to ensure you receive the level of care your diagnosis deserves.

What to Expect During Your Treatment

Mohs surgery is performed in stages, all in a single visit, with Dr. LaBine personally completing every step from removal through to closure. Here's what you can expect at your appointment:

  • Recommended Use Cases: Mohs is generally recommended for skin cancers in sensitive or functionally important areas, like the face, ears, nose, and eyelids, as well as cancers that are large, aggressive, recurring, or have poorly defined borders.
  • Steps Involved: The treatment area is numbed with a local anesthetic, then Dr. LaBine removes a layer of tissue and examines it under a microscope on site. If cancer cells remain at the margin, a map is made and used to remove the remaining tissue. This process repeats, one layer at a time, until the margins are completely clear.
  • Aftercare and Follow-Up: Once clear margins are confirmed, Dr. LaBine closes the wound using the most appropriate technique for the location. We'll provide full post-operative care instructions and follow-up to monitor your healing.

Most procedures are completed in a single day. You should plan for several hours, and we'll walk you through exactly what to expect before you arrive. Many of our patients bring

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mohs Surgery

What is Mohs surgery, and how does it work?

Mohs surgery is a surgical technique that removes skin cancer, one layer at a time. After each layer is removed, it’s examined under a microscope to check for remaining cancer cells. The process continues only until the margins are completely clear, which means the smallest possible amount of healthy tissue is taken. This is what gives Mohs its 99% cure rate for new basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

Who is a good candidate for Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is usually recommended for basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas located in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas like the face, ears, nose, eyelids, or hands, or for cancers that are large, aggressive, recurrent, or have poorly defined borders. Dr. LaBine will review your biopsy results and discuss whether Mohs is the right approach for your specific case.

Will Mohs surgery leave a scar?

Any surgical procedure will leave some degree of scarring, but Mohs surgery is specifically designed to remove the smallest amount of tissue necessary, resulting in the smallest possible wound. Dr. LaBine uses advanced closure techniques, including flaps and skin grafts when appropriate, to minimize the cosmetic impact. For cases where a scar remains red or textured after healing, we have on-site laser treatments that can significantly improve its appearance.

Is Mohs surgery painful?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so the treatment area is numbed before anything begins. You will be awake throughout, but should not feel pain during the surgery itself. There may be some mild soreness or tenderness at the site in the days following the procedure, which is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief in most cases. We’ll give you detailed aftercare instructions before you leave.

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