What Is Mohs Surgery?
Why Choose Mohs Surgery?
With a standard excision, the tumor is removed with a wide margin and sent to an outside lab. Only small sample slices of the edge are checked, and results take days. With Mohs, your surgeon is also the pathologist. Dr. Cronin maps, processes and examines the edges of every layer herself in our on-site lab. That lets her trace the cancer’s “roots” precisely and remove only the affected tissue.
A Mohs surgeon is a dermatologist with an additional fellowship in Mohs surgery, skin pathology and reconstruction. Dr. Cronin completed her Mohs fellowship in 2010 under Dr. Glenn Goldstein at The Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Leawood, Kansas. She is a board-certified dermatologist, a board-certified Mohs micrographic surgeon, a diplomate of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology.
Your Mohs Surgery Appointment
What Does Mohs Surgery Involve?
Preparation: We clean and mark the area, then numb it with a local anesthetic. You stay awake and comfortable, with no general anesthesia.
Removing the first layer: Dr. Cronin removes the visible tumor plus a very thin layer of surrounding skin. The wound is bandaged.
Mapping and lab processing: The tissue is color-coded, mapped to your skin and frozen into thin slides in our lab. This usually takes about an hour.
Microscopic exam: Dr. Cronin examines the entire edge and underside of the layer. If cancer remains, the map shows exactly where.
Repeat only where needed: Another thin layer is taken from just that spot, until the margins are clear.
Repair: The wound is usually repaired the same day with stitches, a flap or a graft, or left to heal naturally.
Plan to spend most of the day with us. Bring a snack and a book, eat a normal breakfast, and take your usual medications unless we tell you otherwise.
When Will I See Results From Mohs Surgery?
You'll know the same day. Before you leave, Dr. Cronin confirms under the microscope that all of the cancer has been removed, so there's no waiting on lab results. Most tumors clear in one to three layers. Healing takes a few weeks. Stitches usually come out in one to two weeks, and the scar continues to soften and fade for 6 to 12 months. If needed, Dr. Cronin provides advanced laser treatments at no cost to ensure the best aesthetic results. See our Mohs aftercare guide for recovery tips.
Am I a Good Candidate for Mohs Surgery?
It's also used for cancers that have come back or have unclear borders. To learn which situations call for Mohs, read Why Is Mohs Surgery Performed?. Dr. Cronin will review your biopsy and recommend the best treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Mohs surgery painful?
How long does Mohs surgery take?
Am I awake during Mohs surgery?
Will I have a scar after Mohs surgery?
Where can I get Mohs surgery near me in Maryland?
Dr. Hyland Cronin performs Mohs surgery at Cronin Dermatology in Chevy Chase (5530 Wisconsin Ave #1418) and on Kent Island (1630 Main Street, Suite 204, Chester). Call 301-986-1880 or 410-591-1140 to schedule a consultation.
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Where Is the Best Place to Find a Mohs Surgeon in Chevy Chase?
If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, you deserve a surgeon who removes it precisely and cares how you look afterward. Dr. Cronin is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon serving Chevy Chase, Bethesda and the Eastern Shore. Call 301-986-1880 (Chevy Chase) or 410-591-1140 (Kent Island) to schedule a consultation.