MOHS surgery is a special and very effective technique for removing skin tumors. The method was developed and first introduced by Dr. Frederick Edward Mohs from the University of Wisconsin in the USA in 1930 and is now used by doctors all over the world. Mohs surgery is special and different from other surgery techniques in that it allows for an immediate and complete microscopic examination of the entire tumor tissue removed, thereby ensuring the complete removal of all the roots and extensions of the tumor. Mohs surgery has the highest success rate of all other existing treatments for skin cancer in removing the tumor and preventing recurrence.
It is not necessary to treat all skin cancers surgically using the MOHS method. This method is reserved for tumors that have returned and appeared after previous treatment/surgery, tumors that by their nature have a particularly high risk of recurrence or tumors that are located in areas where, cosmetically, maximum preservation of healthy skin is required to allow full reconstruction and without causing the formation of severe aesthetic defects following tumor resection. Mohs surgery is in the health basket for tumors in the head and neck area only. The surgery is performed by doctors who have appropriate training in dermatosurgery, general dermatology and histopathology of the skin and who have been trained to perform MOHS surgeries. The surgery is performed in conjunction with a skilled team of nurses and a special laboratory that enables the examination of the tissue.
In the following pictures you can see photographs of the process of removing a tumor using the Mohs method (MOHS), starting with the appearance of the tumor before the operation, the appearance of the wound after the first excision stage (in which there is still a tumor in the wound), the appearance of the wound in the second stage after an additional layer of tissue has been removed according to the microscopic examination of the first stage showing a residual tumor, until the repair of the wound created following the removal of the tumor, by plastic surgery.
Below are photographs of the wound when the stitches were removed, and the later result two months after the operation.
Since 2004 I have been involved in surgeries using the Mohs method to remove cancerous skin tumors. As of the beginning of 2024, I have performed over 10,000 nose surgeries and I am considered one of the most senior nose surgeons in Israel
Read MoreMy main field of practice these days is early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin cancer of all types.
Read MoreDermoscopy is the examination of the skin using an optical device called a dermatoscope. As one of the first to practice dermoscopy in Israel (since 1996), I am considered one of the most experienced and senior in the field.
Read MoreEveryone has moles. Sometimes 40 or more. Moles are often thought of as a dark brown spot, but moles have a wide variety of appearances. In the past, a mole in a certain location on a woman's cheek was considered fashionable and therefore called a "grace point".
Read MoreMohs surgery is performed differently from “regular” surgeries because the pathology is performed on the same day, between steps, so waiting times are an integral part of the process. This summary explains why there may be multiple rounds, what to do during the waiting time, and why the length of the day varies from patient to patient. Finally, the closure/reconstruction steps and initial instructions after surgery are described.
One of the questions I hear most often before surgery is:“What exactly is going to happen there?” People fear the unknown more than the surgery itself.So here is a precise description of a typical Mohs surgery day.
No fasting is required. You may eat, drink coffee, and drive.It’s important not to forget your regular medications, and if you usually take medications during the day, bring them with you.
Wear comfortable clothing with buttons - not shirts that need to be pulled over the head.If the surgery is near the eye, wear clothes that won’t matter if they get stained with a bit of blood.
It’s recommended to have someone accompany you and drive you home.
Upon arriving at the Mohs unit, you begin with administrative intake and registration.Then a nurse calls you in, takes vital signs, reviews your medical history, and explains how the day will proceed - where the waiting room is, where the operating room is, and what to expect.
After this, you wait in the waiting area until it’s your turn.When your turn arrives, you enter the operating room and meet the doctor, who explains what will happen and answers any last questions.
Only then do you sign the informed consent in the doctor’s presence.At this stage, the OR nurse helps you onto the surgical bed and positions you comfortably.
The doctor joins you, confirms the exact location of the lesion together with you, and documents it with a photograph.
Then the surgical area is disinfected, and local anesthesia is injected.
The injection is usually the most uncomfortable moment - and even that is generally mild.
Once the anesthesia is in, pain disappears immediately, followed by loss of sensation to touch and temperature.
The doctor disinfects the area again, more thoroughly, and the surgery begins.
The tumor is peeled away, and a first layer of tissue beneath it is removed.
The wound is treated to stop bleeding, and both the wound and the removed tissue are photographed for documentation and mapping.
The wound is then covered with a sterile dressing.
Meanwhile, the tissue is taken to the lab next to the operating room, where the technician processes it and prepares it for microscopic examination.
You return to the waiting room, applying gentle pressure on the dressing for several minutes.
During this time, the doctor examines the tissue under the microscope, looking for tumor margins.
Patients may use this time to go to a nearby café to eat or drink (a sandwich and water are also provided in the waiting room).
If the margins are clear, the tumor has been fully removed and you proceed to closure.
If cancer cells remain, the doctor maps their exact location and you return to the operating room for removal of the next layer - precisely where the remaining tumor was identified.
About 80% of cases are completed in one stage.
More complex cases may require two, three, or more stages - each adding 45–90 minutes depending on the tumor’s size and complexity.
Once clear margins are achieved, the wound is closed with a focus on optimal cosmetic results.
Most wounds are closed with simple sutures; some are left to heal naturally without stitches, depending on size and location.
More complex cases may require flap reconstruction, grafts, or other techniques.
At the end of surgery, the area is disinfected again, photographed, and covered with a dressing meant to stay in place for up to three days.
The nurse instructs you and your companion on care until suture removal.
The doctor provides a summary letter, prescriptions if needed, and detailed instructions, and reviews the healing process and what to expect.
Most patients can drive home themselves and even return to work the next day.
Sick leave is provided according to individual needs.
You return for suture removal at the scheduled time.
The healing is assessed, questions are answered, and expectations are reviewed.
In the vast majority of cases, that’s the end - no hospitalization, no general anesthesia, no weeks of recovery.In a small minority of cases, more aggressive tumors require further evaluation or additional treatment.
The doctor will guide you, explain, provide referrals, and continue follow‑up as needed.
For questions before surgery: WhatsApp: 050‑5633002 Email: 5633033@gmail.com
BCC or SCC - What's the difference?
When patients come to me holding a pathology report, the word “cancer” has already triggered fear. At that stage, most of them don’t really read what’s written - they just see the word and stop.
So let’s talk about the two most common types of tumors I operate on: BCC and SCC.
Yes - both are skin cancers.
No - they are not the same.
This is by far the most common tumor. About 8 out of 10 cases I see are BCC.It is a slow‑growing tumor. It almost never spreads to other organs.
But - it does invade deeply.
A small BCC on the nose can, over years, reach the cartilage.
On the eyelid - it can extend into the eye socket and even into nerves.In some cases, this tumor can infiltrate surrounding tissue with almost no external sign other than a slight change in skin color or texture.
Classic sign: A shiny pink sore that keeps returning, bleeds, doesn’t heal, and slowly grows.
Sometimes it can be brown or black in parts, and it often appears in places where the patient assumes it came from trauma (glasses, scratches, etc.).
This tumor is less common and behaves differently.
SCC can spread - to lymph nodes, and in rare cases to distant organs.Not always, not with high probability, but this is a major difference from BCC.
In some cases, this tumor is dangerous and even life‑threatening.
There are several subtypes - some more aggressive, some less, some deep, some superficial.
Classic sign: A rough, scaly lesion - sometimes ulcerated, sometimes fleshy and nodular - usually on sun‑exposed areas: face, ears, lips, hands.
Because in Mohs surgery, unlike standard excision, we examine all tumor margins immediately under the microscope.
We don’t take “wide margins” as a safety measure - we take exactly what is needed, confirm that everything is clear, and then close.
Result: Maximum cure rates with minimal damage to healthy tissue.
For BCC - it’s important to treat, maybe slightly less urgent, but we do not wait.
For SCC - we definitely do not wait. Treatment should be done promptly and thoroughly.
If you received a report with one of these names - contact us.
We’ll explain exactly what’s going on and what the next step is.
Ten Thousand Mohs Surgeries—What I Learned About Skin Cancer, Patients, and Myself
When I performed my first mole surgery in the early 2000s, I arrived at the operating room with a protocol, equipment, theoretical knowledge acquired during my training in San Diego, and clinical experience acquired during my extensive plastic surgery residency. What I didn't know yet was what only surgery after surgery teaches.
Ten thousand surgeries later, I can say that much of what I know today is not found in any textbook.
What the data doesn't tell:
A 99% cure rate in Mohs surgery for BCC tumors — that's a real number. But behind every percentage are people. A 72-year-old man who came in with a "small pimple on his nose" that turned out to be a tumor that had penetrated the cartilage. A 58-year-old woman who postponed surgery for a year and a half "because it didn't seem important." A 17-year-old boy whose tumor was discovered during a routine checkup.
Every case taught me something.
What surprises patients the most:
Most of them think that Mohs surgery is “major surgery.” They come with anxiety, with someone accompanying them, with questions about general anesthesia.
In reality: Most surgeries are performed under local anesthesia only, in the clinic's operating room. You arrive in the morning, return home at noon. The scar, in most cases, is almost invisible after six months.
What still worries me
Patients who arrive too late.
Not too late in the dramatic sense — but too late in the sense of "I knew something was wrong a year ago, but I thought..., I waited until..." Every month of waiting with BCC or SCC on the face is another millimeter of growth, another tissue that will have to be removed, another risk of complications and aesthetic damage that will be difficult to repair.
If you have a lesion that doesn't heal, a wound that recurs, a spot that changes — come. Even if it turns out to be completely benign in the end. A visit that rules out a tumor is better than a visit that proves you've been nurturing a large and dangerous tumor.
What hasn't changed:
Every surgery, from the first one until now, begins at that moment: when I explain to the patient about the surgery and what's going to happen and I see the anxiety go down their face. That hasn't changed. That won't change.
For questions or to schedule an appointment: WhatsApp/SMS to 050-5633002 or email to 5633033@gmail.com
A short story illustrating why it is worth seeing a surgeon first with facial lesions.
Too often, my patients come to me not as their first stop, but as their final station after months of exhausting uncertainty. This is the story of a young patient who recently came to me - and it illustrates exactly why Mohs surgery is not just a medical procedure, but peace of mind.
The First Stop: Months of Waiting It all began with a small lesion on her facial skin. From there, a “snowball” of medical bureaucracy started rolling: two months waiting for an overbooked dermatologist, a quick referral for a biopsy with a plastic surgeon, and then another nerve‑wracking month waiting for the pathology results. The news: positive. A tumor. Surgery required.
The Second Stop: The Hospital She was referred to a leading hospital’s plastic surgery department. Again - waiting for appointments, pre‑operative tests, and finally, the long‑awaited surgery. Nearly five months after the initial discovery, the lesion was excised. The cosmetic result was good, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief. She thought the story was behind her.
The Third Stop: The Disappointment at Follow‑Up At her follow‑up visit, the devastating news arrived:
“The margins are not clear. The tumor is still active.”
Exhausted and anxious, the young patient was referred to me for complete excision using Mohs surgery.
Why Mohs Surgery Is Your “Insurance Policy”
With Mohs, we don’t guess. Unlike standard surgery - where the pathology report arrives days later - here everything happens in real time: 100% Margin Examination I examine the tissue under the microscope while the patient is still in the clinic.
Complete Certainty We finish the surgery only when I can confirm with 100% certainty that the margins are clear.
Optimal Cosmetic Outcome We remove only diseased tissue and preserve as much healthy skin as possible - crucial in the facial area.
This patient is now past it. She left the clinic not only healthy, but with the absolute certainty that this time - it is truly over.
Avraham's story illustrates the importance of regular follow-up and the cost of late diagnosis...
Meet Avraham, a veteran farmer from the Arava who spent most of his life under the strong Israeli sun. Avraham isn’t the type to run to a doctor for every scratch or bandage; he’s used to hard work and believes that “the body knows how to handle itself.” But when you work in the fields under direct sunlight for decades, the skin has a long memory - and it doesn’t always forgive. Let’s see how the exact same story can end in two completely different ways. It all depends on one simple thing: when he decided to stop everything and come to our clinic.
It all started with a small, insignificant scab on the side of his nose. “It’s probably just from my glasses,” Avraham thought as he loaded another crate of peppers. He was too busy during the peak season, then came the holidays and family… and in the end, eight months passed.
The small wound had become a nuisance; it started bleeding occasionally, stopped healing, and the skin around it became stiff and tight. Avraham arrived at the clinic and admitted he had completely forgotten the warnings about non‑healing wounds.
During the examination, it was already clear that this was a serious - and not small - tumor. We scheduled an urgent surgery.
When we finally met in the operating room, it became clear that the “wound” was only the tip of the iceberg. The tumor had already sent deep, hidden “roots” into the supporting cartilage of the nose - just like weeds burrowing deep into the soil.
What did this mean for the surgery? Instead of a short procedure, we went through a long, exhausting day. Five stages of Mohs surgery were required - each time removing a layer, examining it under the microscope, and discovering that the tumor was still there, hiding deeper.
Outcome and recovery: Because of the deep cartilage damage, Avraham needed a complex facial reconstruction (a forehead flap to the nose). This meant pain, complex dressings, and a significant impact on his quality of life for many months. He also had to undergo a series of radiation treatments to ensure no cancer cells remained.
This time, Avraham came for his routine check‑up every six months, exactly as we had planned at his previous visit. He even felt a bit embarrassed to “waste my time” over a tiny, almost invisible spot on his nostril - but during my careful examination, I immediately recognized the early signs that something abnormal was beginning to develop.
The good news? Because he didn’t wait, we caught the tumor at a very early stage - still “sleeping” on the surface of the skin, without having had time to spread inward.
What did this mean for the surgery? Everything went smoothly. In a precise Mohs procedure, we achieved clear margins in the very first stage. The tumor was removed completely without damaging the cartilage or the structure of the nose.
Outcome and recovery: Avraham went home with delicate stitches and a small dressing. He returned to the fields and his full routine after just a few days - no chronic pain, no radiation treatments, and no facial deformity. Everything went back to normal quickly and most importantly, with complete peace of mind.
Friends, when it comes to the face and neck, every millimeter is a world unto itself. The distance between the skin and vital structures is practically zero. Early detection is not a “bonus” - it is what turns a painful, complicated medical drama into a simple, aesthetic, and quick treatment.
Don’t say “it will go away on its own,” and don’t wait for the wound to grow. If you see something new, bleeding, or just unusual - get checked early. It can save far more than your smile.
And beyond that, structured follow‑up at appropriate intervals - based on your personal risk level (your doctor will determine the recommended frequency) - allows early detection of lesions you may not have noticed, catching them before they become a serious problem.
Avi Meller 1953–2025Mohs surgery is considered today the gold‑standard technique for removing malignant skin tumors in the facial area — and not by chance. It enables complete and precise removal of cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The story of sports broadcaster Avi Meller, who faced a recurrence of a tumor that was not fully removed and ultimately became an aggressive, life‑threatening disease, illustrates how critical the choice of the right treatment method can be — for one’s health and even for one’s life.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world — and particularly in Israel. Israel is a sun‑drenched country with inviting beaches and a population that includes many fair‑skinned immigrants with lifestyle habits that lead to high exposure to UV radiation. It is important to emphasize that darker‑skinned individuals are also at risk, especially because many mistakenly believe they are “protected” and cannot develop skin cancer.Many malignant lesions appear in exposed areas, especially the face: nose, eyelids, ears, lips, temples, and the hairline. These are areas where:
This is where Mohs surgery comes in — a unique surgical technique in which the tumor is removed in thin layers, and each layer is examined under a microscope in real time. Only if cancer cells are found does the surgeon continue removing additional tissue. This ensures complete tumor removal with minimal damage to healthy tissue.
Mohs surgery combines surgery and pathology at the same moment. Unlike standard excision, where the tumor is removed “approximately” with wide margins:
On the face, where every millimeter matters, this is not just an aesthetic issue — it is a matter of medical success and improved chances of full recovery.
It was recently reported that sports broadcaster Avi Meller faced a recurrence of facial skin cancer after the original tumor was not completely removed. The disease returned with distant metastases and required difficult chemotherapy and radiation treatments.Cancer cells left behind can continue growing beneath the surface — sometimes months or years after surgery.When a tumor recurs:
Meller’s story is a painful reminder that skin cancer is not “small” or “simple.” Inaccurate treatment can lead to a far more complex medical journey.
1. Maximum precision in a sensitive area The face contains delicate structures — nerves, muscles, cartilage, tear ducts, eyelids, and more. Unnecessary damage can cause functional problems, not just cosmetic ones.2. Preserving a natural appearance Mohs surgery allows optimal reconstruction with smaller scars and precise placement of incisions.3. Preventing recurrence Complete removal the first time significantly reduces the risk of the cancer returning.4. Handling complex tumors Recurrent tumors, tumors with unclear borders, or tumors in difficult locations are particularly suited for Mohs surgery.
Not every skin cancer requires Mohs, but it is preferred in cases such as:
In standard excision, the tumor is removed with relatively wide margins. The problem:
In other words: saving time or cost initially may lead to a far more complex treatment later.
Avi Meller’s story is not just personal — it is an important lesson for anyone facing a suspicious facial lesion. Skin cancer is common, but when treated correctly, it is usually fully curable.Choosing Mohs surgery can be the difference between:A short, focused treatment andA long, painful, complicated medical journeyEspecially on the face, where even a small mistake can become a big problem.
Mohs surgery is not “just another surgery.” It is the most precise method for removing malignant skin tumors from the face, offering a rare combination of:
Avi Meller’s story reminds us how important it is to choose the right treatment the first time. When it comes to skin cancer, there is no room for compromise.
+972-050-5633002 - WhatsApp messagesThe fast and convenient option for scheduling appointments is by SMS or WhatsApp to the phone number 050-5633002. You can also schedule an appointment by filling in the details on the "Schedule an Appointment" page
The text below applies equally to all genders and is written in masculine form for convenience only.Under 18? Please consult an adult before using the website and reading this policy.
Dr. Gilead’s clinic, which provides medical treatments for skin diseases, aesthetic treatments, and dermatologic‑surgical procedures (hereinafter: “the Clinic”), respects the privacy of its patients, users of its website located at https://www.drgilead.com/, and users of the various services offered through it and through additional digital platforms operated by the Clinic or on its behalf (collectively: “the Website,” “the Patients,” and/or “the Users”).
The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to outline, among other things, how the Clinic uses information provided by Patients and/or Users, or collected by the Clinic during browsing and use of the Website.
The Clinic may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect technological, business, legal, or regulatory changes. Such updates will be published in this document, which will appear in its updated form on the Website. Use of the Website is subject to the most recent Privacy Policy and constitutes your consent to any changes. Therefore, the Clinic recommends reviewing this policy periodically.
Use of the Website is conditional upon your agreement to this policy. By using or viewing the Website and/or providing any information to the Clinic through the Website, the User confirms that he has read these terms and agrees to them. If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, you must immediately stop using the Website.
The Clinic may collect and store information about Website users that is provided by them or collected by the Clinic as a result of, or in connection with, use of the Website.
Some services offered on the Website, such as the “Contact Us” page, may require the User to provide personal details such as name, contact information (phone and email), and the subject of the inquiry (medical information). On the appointment‑booking page, the User may be required to provide personal details such as name, contact information, nature of the inquiry, health insurance provider, ID number, and may also upload a photo indicating the reason for the visit or a referral document. The User is not legally obligated to provide this information; providing it is voluntary. However, some information is required in order to use certain Website features - for example, without contact details, the Clinic cannot respond to your inquiry.
In addition to information voluntarily provided by the User, the Clinic may collect technical and analytical information during Website use, such as IP address, browsing history, usage data, and device information. This information is collected through cookies and other tracking technologies, as detailed below.
The User acknowledges and agrees that any information provided or collected about him during his interaction with the Clinic or use of the Website (the “Data”) will be stored in the Clinic’s databases.
The User understands that he is under no legal obligation to provide information, and that providing it is voluntary and intended to enable the Clinic to provide the requested services.
If the User chooses to contact the Clinic through social media or external platforms, such communication will be subject to the terms and privacy policies of those third‑party platforms. From that point onward, the Clinic has no control over the information and bears no responsibility for its use.
The User declares that all information provided is accurate, reliable, and correct, and that he is providing information about himself only, unless explicitly authorized otherwise.
The Clinic may use information provided by the User or collected about him to operate, manage, improve, enrich, or modify the Website, and to provide services and content to Users. Information may also be used for maintenance, fraud prevention, security, detection of illegal activity, and statistical analysis. Statistical information provided to third parties will not personally identify the User.
The Website uses cookies and similar technologies for proper operation, data security, statistical analysis, user experience improvement, personalization, advertising, and research.
Cookies are text files created by the User’s browser at the Clinic’s request. Some expire when the browser closes; others remain stored on the User’s device. Cookies may contain information such as visited pages, IP address, time spent on the Website, referral source, and browsing habits on other websites. The information is encrypted, and the Clinic takes precautions to ensure only authorized systems can access it.
The Website may also use third‑party cookies, such as Google Analytics and Facebook cookies.
Users may opt out of such tools via the links provided in the policy or by adjusting browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit Website functionality.
The Clinic will take reasonable measures to prevent sharing personally identifiable information with third parties, except in the following cases:
Non‑personal information may be shared freely.
The Clinic may use anonymous or statistical information that does not identify any individual, for any purpose, including sharing with third parties.
The Clinic uses advanced security measures to protect data provided by Users. While the Clinic invests significant resources in preventing unauthorized access, it cannot guarantee absolute protection.
The Clinic uses industry‑standard encryption and security technologies and regularly updates its systems. However, in cases beyond its control or due to force majeure, the Clinic cannot guarantee uninterrupted Website operation or absolute protection against unauthorized access.
Under the Israeli Privacy Protection Law, Users may review personal information stored about them and request corrections if the information is inaccurate, incomplete, or incorrect.
Requests must be submitted in writing through the Website’s “Contact Us” page or via email: 5633033@gmail.com.
The Clinic may accept or deny requests according to the law. If accepted, corrections will be made and relevant third parties will be notified.
Updated October 2025.
