Surgical Dermatology · Side by Side

Mohs Surgery vs. Standard Excision.

Two proven surgeries for non-melanoma skin cancer. The right answer depends on where the cancer is, how it behaves, and how much healthy tissue we can reasonably spare. We perform Curative Excision in-office at Modern Dermatology; when Mohs is the better fit, we coordinate referral to a trusted Mohs surgeon.

At a glance

Mohs micrographic surgery and standard excision are both reliable, evidence-based treatments. Mohs examines 100% of the surgical margin under the microscope during surgery, which makes it the preferred choice for the face and other cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas. Standard excision is simpler, faster, and well suited to smaller, well-defined cancers on the trunk and limbs. Modern Dermatology performs Curative Excision in our South Tampa office; Mohs cases are referred to a trusted local Mohs surgeon, and we coordinate the timing and follow-up directly with you.

Side by side

A quick comparison.

Use this table as a first pass. Anatomy, medical history, and goals change the calculus — which is why a short consultation is always the next step.

Mohs Surgery vs. Standard Excision.
Attribute	Mohs Surgery (referred)	Curative Excision (in-office)
Technique	Stage-by-stage removal with on-site microscopic review	Single-stage wide excision with post-operative pathology
Margin examination	100% of the surgical margin	Representative sections (bread-loafing)
Best for	Face, scalp, ears, hands, lower legs; recurrent or aggressive tumors	Smaller cancers on trunk, back, limbs; less cosmetically sensitive sites
Typical cancer types	Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, select melanoma in situ	Basal cell, squamous cell, atypical moles, select melanomas
Anesthesia	Local	Local
Time commitment	Half-day visit, waiting periods between stages	30–60 minutes in a single visit
Scarring	Smallest possible defect; closure designed with cosmesis in mind	Proportionate to planned margin; scar length slightly longer
Recurrence rate	Lowest published in the dermatologic literature (AAD guidance)	Higher than Mohs for high-risk or ill-defined tumors
Cost tier	Higher (per-stage billing)	Lower (single procedure)
Where it is performed	Referred to a trusted local Mohs surgeon; we coordinate timing and follow-up	Modern Dermatology, South Tampa office
Pricing	Billed by the Mohs surgeon and their pathology lab; varies by surgeon	$495 starting at Modern Dermatology, transparent direct-care pricing

The procedures

A closer look.

Mohs Surgery (referred)

Mohs is a staged, microscopically controlled surgery. The visible tumor is removed with a very thin margin, the tissue is frozen and sectioned on-site, and 100% of the surgical edge is examined under the microscope. If any cancer cells remain, another layer is taken only from the positive area, and the process repeats until the margin is clear. Mohs offers the highest reported cure rates published in the dermatologic literature and preserves the maximum amount of healthy tissue. We do not perform Mohs in our South Tampa office, but Dr. Dane is fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery and refers these cases to a trusted local Mohs surgeon when it is the right choice for your tumor and anatomy.

Ask about a Mohs referral →

Curative Excision (in-office)

A standard surgical excision removes the cancer plus a measured margin of normal-looking skin in a single visit. The tissue is sent to a board-certified dermatopathologist and reviewed over the following days; we contact you with a report confirming clear margins. Curative excision is an excellent choice for smaller, well-defined skin cancers on the trunk, back, and extremities where taking a slightly wider margin is cosmetically reasonable. It is performed in our South Tampa office under local anesthesia, with precision cosmetic-surgery closure.

A short decision guide.

These are general starting points. The right plan is the one your dermatologist maps to your specific skin, history, and goals.

Cancer on the face, ears, scalp, or hands: Mohs is usually the right answer. We refer to a trusted local Mohs surgeon, and Dr. Dane personally reviews your case before and after.

A small, well-defined basal cell on the back, chest, or shoulder: Curative Excision in our South Tampa office is often appropriate, especially when a slightly wider margin is cosmetically unremarkable.

A recurrent tumor, or one with aggressive pathology: Mohs is strongly preferred. The microscopic control is the single best defense against a second recurrence; we will arrange the referral.

An atypical mole or a melanoma in situ: Most melanomas are handled with wider-margin excision per national guidelines. Dr. Dane will map the right approach with you at consultation.

Common questions

Frequently asked.

Do you perform Mohs surgery in your office?

No. We perform Curative Excision in our South Tampa office. Dr. Dane is fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery and refers these cases to a trusted local Mohs surgeon when Mohs is the right choice for your tumor and anatomy. We coordinate the referral and review the pathology with you afterward.

Which is more painful?

Both are performed under local anesthesia and neither is meaningfully more painful than the other during surgery. Mohs takes longer because of the on-site microscopic review between stages, so the visit feels longer, but patients are comfortable throughout.

Which leaves a smaller scar?

Mohs preserves the most healthy tissue because the margin is checked microscopically as the surgery progresses. Curative excision removes a pre-set margin in a single pass, which can mean a slightly longer scar when the tumor extent is uncertain. Our excisions use minimal-tension layered closure aligned to your body's natural tension lines for the most discreet possible result.

Which has a better cure rate?

For non-melanoma skin cancers, published dermatologic data consistently report Mohs having the highest cure rate of any treatment modality, particularly for high-risk tumors or sites on the face. For small, well-defined cancers on the trunk and extremities, standard excision cure rates are also very high.

Which costs more?

Mohs is generally billed per stage by the Mohs surgeon and the pathology lab; the total is usually higher than a single-visit excision. Modern Dermatology operates under a direct-care model with transparent pricing for Curative Excision starting at $495 (see directcare). Mohs pricing is set by the referring surgeon.

How long does each take?

Plan on a half-day visit for Mohs, with waiting time between stages while the tissue is processed. A Curative Excision in our office is typically 30 to 45 minutes including the closure.

Keep exploring.

Skin Cancer Excision

Details on our in-office Curative Excision approach and what to expect.

Skin Cancer Screening

Total-body dermatoscopic exams, the front door of skin cancer care.

Dr. Alexander Dane

Double board-certified dermatologist and facial cosmetic surgeon, fellowship-trained in Mohs.

Still weighing options?

A thirty-minute consultation with our team almost always resolves the question. Direct-care model, no rushed visits.

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