Mohs Surgery and Surgical Dermatology in Tucson

When a skin cancer or another skin condition requires a procedure, understanding your options matters. Willow Dermatology provides surgical dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery at our Tucson practice.

Mahdieh Jedlowski, MD, PharmD, and Mohammad Fazel, MD, PharmD, are certified by the American Board of Dermatology in dermatology and Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery removes skin cancer in stages while the surgeon examines the removed tissue under a microscope. If cancer remains at an examined edge, another layer is removed from that area. The process continues until the examined margins are clear.

This approach combines cancer removal with preservation of surrounding healthy tissue. It is often considered for selected basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, including cancers in sensitive locations, cancers that have returned, and tumors with higher-risk features.

Choosing the Appropriate Procedure

Mohs is one option for skin cancer treatment. Your dermatologist will consider the diagnosis, location, size, prior treatment, and other factors before recommending a procedure. Other surgical dermatology services include:

  • Skin cancer excision

  • Curettage and electrodesiccation for selected lesions

  • Cryosurgery for appropriate skin lesions

  • Surgical treatment of selected hidradenitis suppurativa lesions

Your physician will explain the expected benefits, limitations, and alternatives for the procedure being considered.

What Happens During Mohs Surgery?

  1. Preparation: The treatment site is confirmed and numbed with local anesthetic.

  2. Removal and examination: Tissue is removed and examined while you wait.

  3. Additional stages if needed: Further tissue is removed from areas where cancer remains.

  4. Wound planning: After clearance, your surgeon discusses how the wound will heal or be repaired.

The number of stages and the size of the final wound vary. Repair may involve stitches, a skin flap, a skin graft, or healing without stitches, depending on the wound and your individual needs.

Preparing for Surgery and Recovery

If you have been referred for surgery, contact our office about the biopsy report and other records needed for scheduling. Bring a complete medication list and follow the preparation instructions provided for your procedure. Discuss medication questions with your treating clinicians before making changes.

Your care team will explain wound care, activity restrictions, follow-up, and how to contact the office with postoperative concerns. Recovery instructions are tailored to the procedure and repair.

Learn more about our skin cancer care and the physicians at Willow Dermatology.

Discuss a Surgical Dermatology or Mohs Referral

Call our office for help with a surgery referral, or schedule an evaluation to discuss a skin lesion or treatment recommendation.

Book an Appointment Call (520) 261-5205

Illustration of a medical professional performing surgery on a patient's arm, focusing on treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa, with desert landscape and cacti in the background, and a diagram of affected skin with inflamed nodules and sinus tracts.
Illustration of a doctor performing skin cancer excision, with desert plants and mountains in the background, and an inset showing a close-up of the skin with a mole and excision tool.
Illustration of a dermatologist performing cryosurgical treatment on a male patient’s shoulder in a desert landscape with cacti and mountains, showing the procedure targeting skin lesions.
Illustration of a dermatologist performing electrodissection and curettage on a patient's skin, with a desert landscape background and a close-up schematic of the procedure showing superficial lesion removal.
An illustrated advertisement for Mohs micrographic surgery by Willow Dermatology, showing a dermatologist performing a skin cancer removal on a patient, with desert plants and mountains in the background, and a process diagram of the surgery steps.