Mohs Surgery

Mohs Facts

Dr. Frederic Mohs developed the Mohs procedure in the 1930s. Mohs Micrographic Surgery is an outpatient procedure that involves the surgeon removing the visible tumor and then creating a map or diagram of the cancer site.  The surgeon then removes smaller and smaller sections of surrounding tissue, which the surgeon immediately studies under a powerful microscope, until the surgeon determines that all the cancer has been removed from the diagrammed area.  Once the cancer has been removed, the surgeon repairs the wound using the most advanced reconstructive procedures.

The Mohs technique provides the following benefits:

  • Success- Mohs Surgery provides the highest cure rate of any treatments for skin cancer—up to 99% and substantially decreases the chance of skin cancer recurrence.
  • Preservation- Mohs Surgery minimizes the removal of normal skin tissue allowing for potentially smaller scars.
  • Safety- Mohs Surgery is performed under local anesthesia. This permits faster patient recovery and a lower risk of complications, especially for older patients.
  • Integration- The Mohs surgeon is specially trained to complete your skin cancer treatment, interpret the pathology evaluation, and complete most wound reconstruction in the same visit. When needed, your care may be coordinated with other specialists to optimize your outcome.

 

Why "fellowship-trained"?

Only Fellows of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) www.mohscollege.org have completed an additional 1-2 years of fellowship training after completing the residency requirements of their specialty. This is to ensure that the surgeon is expertly trained in not only the removal of the tumor, but more importantly, the accurate evaluation of the pathology so that the patient and surgeon can both be assured that the skin cancer is completely removed. This training also includes extensive experience in reconstruction with members of other specialties such as plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and oculoplastic surgery.