Mohs Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the single most effective technique for removing skin cancer

Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the single most effective technique for removing skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and a multitude of other types of skin cancer (including melanoma). An extremely precise skin cancer treatment, the Mohs surgery procedure allows Dr. Lane to remove a thin layer of tissue and examine it during rather than after surgery. As a result, Dr. Lane knows exactly when tissue is free of cancer cells so that healthy tissue is not removed unnecessarily. This allows for the highest cure rate, smallest surgical defect, and thus the best possible aesthetic outcome.

Dr. Joshua Lane is one of only 30 fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons in Georgia. He completed the prestigious post-doctoral one-year fellowship in Mohs Micrographic & Reconstructive Surgery approved by the American College of Mohs Surgery. This requires its members to participate in at least a full year of training with hands on experience after already completing a full four year residency. Dr. Lane has experience in over 10,000 Mohs surgery cases and subsequent reconstructions. He treats and repairs skin cancers of any anatomic location but takes special interest in cases of high cosmetic and reconstructive need. Mohs surgery is a highly precise technique that allows for the removal of visible tumor and any “roots” that may extend below the skin surface.

Five-year cure rates approach 99% for first-time treatments and over 95% for recurrent skin cancers. It is the most effective and state of the art procedure for the treatment of skin cancer.

Mohs surgery involves the systematic and microscopic removal of thin layers of tissue until all of the skin cancer is removed. The immediate and complete microscopic examination of tissue differentiates Mohs surgery from other surgical procedures. Cancerous tissue is removed with minimal disruption of normal skin, minimizing the post-operative wound size and risk of recurrence while maximizing the cosmetic outcome.

The latest in skin cancer treatment

We are nationally recognized for our Mohs micrographic surgery, a precise skin cancer treatment that has the highest rate of success.

Cure rates for patients who have Mohs surgery are much higher than those for patients who have standard or other surgical methods to remove skin cancer.

Using the latest medical dermatology treatments, Lane Dermatology can improve the health and quality of life of patients living with uncomfortable or unsightly skin disorders.

We have the most comprehensive lasers in Columbus, GA and the region. Our wide range of treatments means we can customize a treatment plan for your specific needs.

What to expect from Mohs surgery for skin cancer

Mohs surgery can be used for nearly all types of skin cancer. Specific variations may be incorporated for certain types of skin cancer such as melanoma. Mohs surgery is specifically indicated for skin cancers of the head and neck, hands, feet, among other areas. It is also especially useful to treat previously treated and/or recurrent skin cancers. Mohs surgery has proven to be highly effective in treating melanoma, particularly in cosmetic areas such as the nose, eyelids, lips, and face.

For a complete list of all fellowship-trained Mohs College members click here.

If you are scheduled to have Mohs surgery to remove your skin cancer, Dr. Lane and his staff will discuss benefits and risks of the surgery and tell you what you can expect. We will instruct you about what to do to care for your wound and heal from your surgery.

The procedure will involve:

Local anesthesia, which will be administered at the site of the tumor to numb the area (select cases may go to the operating room)
Removing the tumor by precision excision with scalpel – a process that allows the surgeon to determine the margin between the tumor cells and healthy tissue
Tumor mapping to ensure the tumor is precisely located (mapped) and with reference to local landmarks such as the nose, cheek, and chin. The tissue will then be labeled and color-coded to correlate with its position on the map. The surgeon will then process and examine tissue sections to look for cancer cells. It takes approximately 20 minutes to process, stain, and examine each section of tissue. During this time, your wound will be bandaged, and you may leave the operating suite
Removing all cancer cells. If cancer cells are still present after tissue examination, Dr. Lane will return to the tumor area indicated on the map to remove, remap, color code, and examine another thin layer of tissue. This process will continue until the cancer is completely removed
Reconstruction. In addition to having expertise in the surgical technique and pathologic process for examining tissue, surgeons trained in Mohs micrographic surgery are experts at reconstruction. Because the location and extent of cancer differs for each patient, Dr. Lane will tailor reconstruction to meet your needs, preserve the normal function of the affected area, and yield the best aesthetic outcome with minimal Mohs surgery scars

Aesthetic reconstruction of Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery involves two primary phases, including skin cancer removal followed by reconstruction. Reconstruction typically is performed immediately following the Mohs surgery on the same day at the same visit. In some instances, Dr. Lane may perform the reconstruction in the operating room. This is typically done only for larger reconstructions such as paramedian forehead flaps. This may be done either in the operating room or in our surgical suites.

Aesthetic reconstruction is a critical component of the Mohs surgery experience. With an additional year of fellowship training, over 10,000 cases performed by Dr. Lane, and a passion for aesthetic reconstruction, we are confident that we can offer you the most aesthetic and complete reconstruction possible.

While Dr. Lane has published over 100 scientific articles, a large number of these are related to both functional and aesthetic Mohs surgery reconstruction. He has explored unique aspects of reconstruction and reported novel findings such as his discovery of a donor skin-sparing full-thickness skin graft, reconstruction of the vermilion lip with a unilateral axial myocutaneous advancement flap, and his extensive research and publication in surgical textbooks of wound healing and scarring.

Advantages for Mohs surgery for skin cancer treatment

Precisely tracing and removing skin cancer cells that cannot be seen with the naked eye
On-the-spot tissue examination to identify and remove malignant skin cancer cells to their roots
Minimizing the chance skin cancer will regrow
Preserving more normal tissue compared with standard or other surgical methods
Less surgery scars and disfigurement
Effective treatment for complex skin cancers, cancers of the face, sensitive areas, and visible areas
Cure rates as high as 99% compared with 50% to 60% for other methods
The highest cure rate for skin cancer
Only surgeons who are specially trained in Mohs surgery perform the procedure. In addition to having expertise in surgical techniques, surgeons with Mohs surgery training also have expertise in examining tissue (pathology) and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Joshua Lane is one of 30 fellowship-trained Mohs surgery surgeons in the state of Georgia

Dr. Joshua Lane has performed over 10,000 cases of Mohs surgery. His training and experience coupled with an all-star team of knowledgeable staff offer patients the highest level of Mohs surgery care available. Additionally, Lane Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery has a new, state-of-the-art surgical facility including an AAAHC (Medicare-deemed status) ambulatory surgery center.

Mohs Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the single most effective technique for removing skin cancer

The latest in skin cancer treatment

We are nationally recognized for our Mohs micrographic surgery, a precise skin cancer treatment that has the highest rate of success.

Using the latest medical dermatology treatments, Lane Dermatology can improve the health and quality of life of patients living with uncomfortable or unsightly skin disorders.

What to expect from Mohs surgery for skin cancer

The procedure will involve:

Aesthetic reconstruction of Mohs surgery

Advantages for Mohs surgery for skin cancer treatment

Dr. Joshua Lane is one of 30 fellowship-trained Mohs surgery surgeons in the state of Georgia

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