Surgical Dermatology · Side by Side

Mohs Surgery vs. Standard Excision.

Two proven surgeries for non-melanoma skin cancer. At Modern Dermatology in South Tampa, the choice depends on where the cancer is, how it behaves, and how much healthy tissue we can reasonably spare.

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 cancers on the trunk and limbs where wider margins are acceptable. Both are performed by our board-certified dermatologists in South Tampa.

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	Standard Excision
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)
Direct-care pricing	Quoted at consult	$495 starting (see /directcare)

The procedures

A closer look.

Mohs Surgery

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. Because the anatomy is inspected rather than estimated, Mohs offers the highest reported cure rates published in the dermatologic literature and preserves the maximum amount of healthy tissue. It is our standard of care for cancers on the face, scalp, ears, genitals, hands, and lower legs.

Meet our Mohs surgeon →

Standard Excision

A standard surgical excision removes the cancer plus a pre-determined margin of normal-looking skin in a single visit. The tissue is sent out to a pathology lab and reviewed over the following days. If margins come back positive, a re-excision is scheduled. Standard 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 simpler, usually shorter, and available in-office under local anesthesia.

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. The combination of higher cure rates and tissue preservation is exactly what these anatomically sensitive sites require.

A small, well-defined basal cell on the back or shoulder: Standard excision 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.

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 consult.

Common questions

Frequently asked.

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. Standard excision removes a pre-set margin in a single pass, which can mean a slightly longer scar when the tumor extent is uncertain.

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, standard excision cure rates are also very high.

Which costs more?

Mohs is generally billed per stage, so the total cost is typically higher than a single-visit standard excision. Because we operate under a direct-care model, Dr. Dane will review transparent pricing with you before surgery is scheduled.

How long does each take?

Plan on a half-day visit for Mohs, with 45–90 minutes of tissue processing between each stage. A standard excision is usually 30–60 minutes in-office, including the closure.

Keep exploring.

Skin Cancer Excision

Details on our standard surgical excision approach and what to expect.

Skin Cancer Screening

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

Dr. Alexander Dane

Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon and double board-certified dermatologist.

Still weighing options?

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

Request a Visit Call (813) 336-7688