Mohs Surgery in Kansas City

Examination and prep

The process will begin with a consultation. During this process, your provider will provide you with an overview of the exact nature of the procedure. During the consultation and examination, your provider will carefully evaluate the size, depth, and exact borders of the skin cancer. This assessment may include reviewing biopsy results, prior treatment history, and any relevant medical conditions that could affect healing or surgical planning. A thorough skin examination also identifies any additional areas of concern that may warrant monitoring or treatment.

From there, they will identify and mark the target location, and review what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. After administering local anesthesia, the procedure will begin. Preparation for Mohs surgery in Kansas City is designed to ensure both safety and comfort on the day of the procedure. Patients are typically advised to discuss their prescribed medications with their provider at Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center. Before the procedure, pre-care instructions are provided regarding diet and fasting, hydration, and clothing to make sure you feel prepared and comfortable for your procedure.

Visible cancer removal

Using a scalpel, the surgeon will remove the visible tumor with a small margin of normal-appearing skin. The area will be temporarily bandaged, and you will have the opportunity to relax while the lab work begins. Since lab work is so thorough, we invite patients to bring books, magazines, or other activities to help pass the time.

Once the initial tissue is removed, it is carefully processed and examined under a microscope. This step-by-step analysis allows the surgeon to determine whether any cancerous cells remain and, if so, precisely where they are located within the skin. Because only tissue identified with or near the cancer is removed in the following stages, Mohs surgery in Kansas City works to preserve as much healthy skin tissue as possible.

While patients wait between stages, our care team remains available to provide updates on the analysis and ensure comfort. The waiting period can vary, depending on how many analysis stages are needed. We encourage our patients to remain on-site through the Mohs surgery process, so the procedure can continue promptly once results are ready.

Lab analysis

The surgeon will divide the removed tissue into sections, color-code them with dye, and draw a map of the surgical site. In the lab, a technician will then freeze the divided tissue and cut the frozen samples into thin, analyzable slices. The slices will be placed on microscope slides, stained, and covered. This process is incredibly thorough, and though it takes a while, it provides the highest cure rate.

This detailed mapping and analysis process allows your surgeon to examine 100 percent of the surgical margins, rather than relying on small sample sections. By evaluating the entire edge and underside of the removed tissue, your surgeon can detect even microscopic extensions of cancer cells that may not be visible otherwise. This level of precision is what distinguishes Mohs surgery from other skin cancer treatment methods.

Each slide is carefully reviewed by your surgeon, who is specially trained to identify cancer cells and correlate their location to a tailored surgical map. If cancer cells are found, their exact position is documented, which guides further tissue removal only where it is completely necessary. This targeted approach minimizes unnecessary tissue removal while ensuring the eradication of complex cancer.

Microscopic examination

Using a microscope, the surgeon will examine all the edges and underside of the tissue on the slides and, if any cancer cells remain, mark their location on the map. This meticulous review ensures that no portion of the cancerous growth is overlooked. Unlike standard pathology methods that examine only selected samples, Mohs surgery in Kansas City allows the surgeon to assess the complete margin of the removed tissue. This comprehensive evaluation is especially important for skin cancers with irregular growth patterns or those that extend beneath the surface of the skin.

Your surgeon may repeat this process through multiple stages until they confirm that all margins are clear of cancer. While this approach requires time and patience, it significantly improves the treatment accuracy and outcomes. Once the microscopic examination confirms that no cancer cells remain within the treatment area, the procedure can move forward. This level of precision is a defining feature of Mohs surgery and a key reason it is trusted for treating high-risk and recurrent skin cancer.

Additional layer removal

If cancer cells remain, the surgeon will return and remove another layer of tissue from the target site. Over the course of the surgery, your surgeon will repeat steps 2-4 as many times as needed until there are no more cancer cells. This is what makes Mohs so effective and precise. Though it may take time, Mohs surgery in Kansas City provides the highest cure rate and spares more healthy tissue compared to standard removal.

Wound repair

Once the site is clear of all cancer cells, the wound may be left open to heal or the surgeon may close it with stitches. The way the chosen repair is handled will vary from patient to patient depending on the size and location of the defect.

Once the cancer has been fully removed, the surgeon carefully evaluates the surgical site to determine the most appropriate repair method. Factors like skin tension, blood supply, natural contours, and the need to preserve normal function are all taken into consideration. In some cases, the wound may heal on its own over time, while at other times, sutures or advanced closure techniques may be used to support optimal healing.

When sutures are required, they are placed with provisions to promote proper alignment of the skin and minimize scarring. For larger, more complex wounds, reconstruction may involve layered surgeries or specialized techniques designed to restore both appearance and function to the treatment area. The goal is to always achieve the best and safest possible aesthetic outcome while maintaining the integrity of the surrounding tissue.

Next Steps

Once your treatment is complete, you are free to go. Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment, and provide you with instructions for wound care and scar care to achieve the best outcome.

Healing after Mohs Surgery in Kansas City is a gradual process, and our team remains an important resource during this time. Follow-up appointments allow your surgeon or provider to monitor how the surgical site is healing, address any concerns you have, and ensure there are no signs of infection or delayed recovery. These visits also provide an opportunity to evaluate scar development and recommend adjustments to your care plan, as needed.

We typically provide post-care instructions that outline how to care for your wound at home. This may include guidance on cleaning the area, changing dressings, managing swelling, and recognizing normal healing versus concerns that require medical attention. Proper wound care plays a significant role in minimizing scarring and supporting optimal cosmetic results.

In addition to post-surgical care, your provider may discuss long-term skin health and prevention strategies. Because individuals who have had skin cancer are at a higher risk of developing additional lesions, ongoing monitoring is essential. Your doctor may recommend routine skin exams, sun protection measures, and self-examinations to support continued skin health. This comprehensive approach ensures that care extends beyond the procedure itself and focuses on long-term health and confidence moving forward.