Cancer Skin Cancer Treatment Mohs Surgery: Long-Term Care By Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN Rachael is a freelance healthcare writer and critical care nurse based near Cleveland, Ohio. Learn about our editorial process Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD on September 24, 2020 Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Doru Paul, MD on September 24, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Benefits of Surgery Possible Future Surgeries Lifestyle Adjustments Mohs surgery offers a highly effective solution to skin cancer. With high cure rates, this surgery is minimally invasive and very effective. Still, there are long-term considerations before you have your procedure, including lifestyle adjustments to prevent a return of skin cancer, and possible future procedures. gpointstudio / iStock / Getty Images Benefits of Surgery There are many treatments for skin cancer, from excising moles to freezing portions off. These methods can end with a return of the skin cancer, though, and Mohs surgery offers a solution that can be more permanent. By examining each layer of skin removed under a microscope, your surgeon will keep removing layers of tissue until they are certain that all the cancerous cells have been removed. Additional areas of removal are minimal, too, with surgeons going just beyond the tumor borders—typically just 1 millimeter (mm) to 2 mm beyond the margins. Possible Future Surgeries While there is a good chance that Mohs surgery will rid you of skin cancer, there is still some long-term care involved after Mohs surgery. First, there is reconstruction to consider. In most cases where the affected area is small, your surgeon may elect to close and reconstruct the wound during your initial procedure. These small wounds will be left to close naturally, through a process called secondary-intention healing. For wounds that are larger, your surgeon may close them with a stitch, but they won't require extensive reconstructive surgery. The largest wounds, on the other hand, may need a more complex process. For large wounds that can't heal on their own, even with the help of a few sutures, your surgeon may recommend the services of a reconstructive or plastic surgeon. These surgeons may decide to use a skin graft from another part of your body or a skin flap to close the wound and enable better healing. Call your doctor or 911 if you are experiencing a medical emergency. Lifestyle Adjustments Even though you may feel relieved after your Mohs surgery, it's no time to become complacent. There is still a chance—even if it's a small one—that could cancer could return. Two out of five patients who have skin cancer once will develop it again within five years. Early detection is key. You should remain vigilant with routine skin checks, as well as healthy skin care. Follow general recommendations to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer such as: Staying out of the sun between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.Avoiding getting sunburnedCovering up with hats, UV-blocking clothes, and/or sunscreen when you have to be in the sunReapplying sunscreen if you stay in the sun longer than 30 minutesExamining your own skin once per monthSeeing a dermatologist for a thorough skin assessment once each year Preventing Skin Cancer and Detecting It Early A Word From Verywell Mohs surgery can effective. lt removes existing skin cancer, but there is not an immediate recovery after the procedure. Full recovery can take a year or longer, depending on your reconstruction needs. Even when you are recovered, you should consider lifestyle changes to help prevent a recurrence of skin cancer. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Nehal K, Lee E. Mohs surgery. UpToDate. Updated March 26. 2020. American College of Mohs Surgery. Reconstruction. 2017. Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer prevention.