Could tea tree oil help treat acne or athlete’s foot?
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): What to know if you have diabetes or prediabetes or are at risk for these conditions
What could be causing your blurry vision?
Avocado nutrition: Health benefits and easy recipes
Swimming lessons save lives: What parents should know
Preventing and treating iliotibial (IT) band syndrome: Tips for pain-free movement
Wildfires: How to cope when smoke affects air quality and health
What can magnesium do for you and how much do you need?
Dry socket: Preventing and treating a painful condition that can occur after tooth extraction
What happens during sleep — and how to improve it
What is Mohs surgery?
An effective treatment for basal cell cancers.
Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Mohs micrographic surgery is often used to remove basal cell cancers. During Mohs surgery the tumor is shaved away in thin layers, one layer at a time. Each layer is checked immediately under a microscope.
This allows the surgeon to preserve as much healthy skin as possible while removing all of the cancer and a thin margin of healthy skin. This surgery is a highly effective treatment for basal cell cancer and often has very good cosmetic results.
Basal cell cancers form in the epidermis, the protective, outermost layer of our skin. The cancerous cells invade surrounding tissues, usually forming a painless pearly bump.
Illustration by Michael Linkinhoker
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Could tea tree oil help treat acne or athlete’s foot?
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): What to know if you have diabetes or prediabetes or are at risk for these conditions
What could be causing your blurry vision?
Avocado nutrition: Health benefits and easy recipes
Swimming lessons save lives: What parents should know
Preventing and treating iliotibial (IT) band syndrome: Tips for pain-free movement
Wildfires: How to cope when smoke affects air quality and health
What can magnesium do for you and how much do you need?
Dry socket: Preventing and treating a painful condition that can occur after tooth extraction
What happens during sleep — and how to improve it
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up
