Skin Cancer Surgery: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Skin Cancer Surgery?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, or another surgeon usually does skin cancer surgery. Most often the surgery can be done in a doctor's office or hospital clinic. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
The sections below cover surgery for basal cell skin cancer and melanoma. Mohs surgery can be used for most skin cancers, such as basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers. Surgery is the most common treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), also known as basal cell skin cancer. Surgery is also the main treatment for most melanomas. It usually cures early-stage melanomas. Different types of surgery can be used to treat basal cell cancer.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Your options depend on how large the cancer is, where it is on your body, and how likely it is to come back. When melanoma is diagnosed by skin biopsy, more surgery will probably be needed to help make sure the cancer has been removed completely.
Mohs surgery is sometimes used to treat basal cell carcinoma in these cases.
- There is a high risk the skin cancer will come back after treatment.
- The goal is to save as much healthy skin as possible.
- The cancer has come back after treatment.
Mohs surgery is not a standard treatment for melanoma. It might be an option for some very early-stage melanomas where a wide excision would be hard to do, such as on the face or ears.
How to prepare
For Mohs surgery, your surgeon will explain what you should do to prepare. Do not stop taking any prescription medicines unless your surgeon tells you to stop. You may be asked to arrange for someone to take you home after surgery, if needed.
What happens during it
Most often, the doctor uses numbing medicine, called a local anesthetic.
Common types of surgery for basal cell cancer include the following.
- In a standard excision, the tumor is cut out with a surgical knife, along with some surrounding normal skin.
- In Mohs surgery, the surgeon removes a very thin layer of skin, including the tumor, and checks it under a microscope.
- Mohs surgery is a slow process, often taking several hours.
Sometimes, many lymph nodes are removed in a larger operation called a lymph node dissection. For melanoma, the tumor site is cut out along with a small amount of normal skin around the edges, called the margins.
Recovery
Any surgery is likely to leave at least a small scar. After Mohs surgery, most small wounds heal well on their own. Your surgeon will talk with you about how to close the wound. Options include letting a small wound heal on its own, stitches, skin grafts, or skin flaps.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting, or bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
Mohs surgery is generally safe.
Risks of Mohs surgery include the following.
- Infection.
- Nerve damage that causes numbness or burning, which usually goes away.
- Larger scars that are raised and red, called keloids.
- Bleeding.
Lymphedema is a possible long-term side effect of a lymph node dissection. Lymphedema is a condition in which extra fluid collects in an arm or leg.
Who performs it
A dermatologist or another surgeon who treats skin cancer removes it. Mohs surgery is done by a specially trained dermatologist or surgeon.
Common questions
Do I need to be put to sleep for skin cancer surgery?
Usually not, because most often a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) is used.
Will skin cancer surgery leave a scar?
Yes, any surgery is likely to leave at least a small scar. Different methods can leave different scars. Ask your doctor about scarring before the surgery.
Is Mohs surgery used for melanoma?
Mohs surgery is not a standard treatment for melanoma, but it might be an option for some very early-stage melanomas.
What if a large wound cannot be stitched closed?
Surgeons can sometimes move a flap of nearby skin over the wound.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
- American Cancer Society - Surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma
- American Cancer Society - Surgery for Melanoma Skin Cancer
- MedlinePlus - Mohs micrographic surgery
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
