Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Layer-by-layer removal of skin cancer with on-site microscopic margin assessment — the highest cure rate technique with maximum healthy tissue preservation.
What is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a precise tissue-sparing technique for treating skin cancers, particularly basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas on cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas. The tumour is excised in thin layers; each layer is mapped and examined under the microscope on-site before the next layer is taken — continuing only until completely cancer-free margins are confirmed. Dr. Abhishek performs Mohs at Lux Hospitals for facial, periorbital, ear, nose, and recurrent skin cancers, offering the highest cure rate while preserving maximum healthy tissue.
How the Procedure Works
Local Anaesthesia & Mapping
The tumour and surgical site are marked under local anaesthesia; a thin saucer-shaped layer is excised.
Tissue Mapping
The specimen is divided, oriented on a map, and frozen for microscopic examination.
Microscopic Review
All margins are examined under the microscope on-site to identify any residual cancer.
Targeted Re-Excision
Only areas with persistent cancer are re-excised based on the map — sparing healthy tissue.
Reconstruction
Once the margins are clear, the defect is closed primarily, with a flap, or grafted as needed.
Outcomes
Who Needs This Treatment?
- →Highest cure rate of any skin cancer treatment (>99% for primary BCC)
- →Maximum preservation of healthy tissue around the tumour
- →Ideal for facial and cosmetically sensitive locations
- →Same-day complete margin clearance — no waiting for pathology
- →Performed under local anaesthesia as a day-care procedure
- →Reconstruction is planned only after confirmed cancer-free margins
Mohs surgery is the gold standard for skin cancers on the face — every cell of cancer is found and removed before reconstruction begins. The patient leaves knowing they are completely clear, with the smallest possible defect.
— Dr. Abhishek Katha, Consultant General & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon, Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad
Mohs Micrographic Surgery Cost in Hyderabad
The cost of Mohs micrographic surgery in Hyderabad depends on the type, size, location, and extent of the skin cancer, whether the lesion is recurrent, the number of Mohs stages required, reconstruction needs, anesthesia, and facility charges. Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized technique in which the visible tumor is removed in stages, with each tissue layer examined microscopically to determine whether cancer cells remain at the margins. It is particularly considered for selected skin cancers in cosmetically or functionally important areas, such as the face, and for recurrent tumors where tissue preservation and precise margin control are important. The estimated cost ranges from ₹80,000 to ₹2,50,000, with an average cost of approximately ₹1,65,000.
| Procedure | Approximate Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Facial / recurrent basal cell carcinoma | ₹80,000 ₹2,50,000 |
The actual cost may vary considerably because Mohs surgery is performed in stages and the number of stages required cannot always be predicted before treatment. Larger tumors, recurrent lesions, poorly defined tumor margins, or lesions involving anatomically sensitive areas may require more stages and more extensive reconstruction.
The total expense may include specialist consultation, clinical or dermoscopic assessment, biopsy and pathology review, Mohs tissue processing and microscopic examination, local anesthesia or other anesthesia where required, procedure-room charges, surgical supplies, reconstruction or wound closure, medicines, and follow-up care. Reconstruction of a surgical defect using a flap, graft, or another technique may involve additional charges depending on the size and location of the defect.
Factors Affecting Mohs Micrographic Surgery Cost
Mohs surgery costs can vary substantially between patients because the extent of cancer and the amount of tissue that must be removed are different in every case. Since treatment is performed one stage at a time with microscopic margin assessment, the final number of stages and the resulting surgical defect can have a major effect on cost.
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Tumor type: Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and selected other skin cancers may have different indications for Mohs surgery.
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Tumor size: Larger tumors may require more tissue removal and can increase operative and reconstruction requirements.
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Tumor location: Lesions on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, or other functionally important areas may require highly precise tissue-sparing treatment.
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Recurrent tumor: Previously treated tumors may have less clearly defined margins and can require more extensive staged removal.
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Number of Mohs stages: Each additional stage involves tissue removal and microscopic examination and can increase the overall treatment cost.
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Pre-operative biopsy: A prior biopsy may be required to establish or confirm the diagnosis before Mohs surgery.
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Histopathological examination: Microscopic examination of each Mohs stage is integral to the procedure and differs from routine pathology performed after standard excision.
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Reconstruction: Larger defects may require suturing, flap reconstruction, skin grafting, or another wound-closure technique, which can add to the total expense.
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Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is commonly used, while selected cases may require additional anesthesia support.
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Procedure and facility charges: Specialized Mohs equipment, laboratory processing, trained personnel, operating or procedure-room charges, and monitoring contribute to the cost.
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Additional surgical management: Extensive tumors may require involvement of another surgical specialist for complex reconstruction or management of deeper structures.
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Post-operative care: Dressings, medicines, wound management, pathology review, and follow-up consultations may also contribute to the final expense.
Insurance Coverage for Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery may be covered by health insurance when it is medically necessary treatment for a diagnosed skin cancer and meets the insurer's clinical criteria. Coverage can depend on the type and location of cancer, recurrence status, medical indication, policy terms, waiting periods, exclusions, insurer guidelines, applicable limits, and pre-authorization requirements. Reconstruction and certain pathology or facility charges may have separate coverage provisions. Patients should confirm coverage for Mohs stages, pathology or microscopic processing, anesthesia, reconstruction, hospitalization or day-care services, and follow-up with their insurance provider before treatment.
- Checking your policy coverage
- Cashless approval process
- Required documentation
- Insurance-related queries before the procedure
Dr. Abhishek Katha
Consultant General & Laparoscopic Surgeon
Dr. Abhishek Katha, Consultant General & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad, evaluates patients with skin and soft-tissue lesions requiring surgical assessment. During consultation, he reviews the lesion's duration, growth pattern, recurrence history, previous biopsy or excision, changes in appearance, bleeding, ulceration, pain, and relevant medical history. Clinical examination and available biopsy or pathology reports are reviewed to understand the nature of the lesion and determine whether further surgical treatment is required. When a lesion is suspected to be malignant or has returned after previous treatment, additional evaluation may be recommended before deciding on the surgical approach. When Mohs micrographic surgery is being considered, the treatment decision is based on the confirmed diagnosis, tumor location, recurrence status, size, and other clinical factors. Dr. Abhishek Katha can discuss whether Mohs surgery or another form of excision requires assessment by a dedicated Mohs-trained specialist or dermatologic surgeon and help coordinate appropriate surgical management where necessary. The consultation may include discussion of the role of staged microscopic margin assessment, expected number of treatment stages, wound closure or reconstruction requirements, recovery and wound care, pathology documentation, possible additional specialist treatment, follow-up, and the estimated treatment cost.
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