Mohs Micrographic Surgery
 Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a specialized, highly effective
technique for the removal of skin cancer. This procedure is a state-of-the-art treatment in which the physician serves as
surgeon, pathologist and reconstructive surgeon. It relies on
the accuracy of a microscope to trace and ensure removal of
skin cancer down to its roots. This procedure allows our doctors, trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, to see beyond the
visible disease, and to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, leaving healthy tissue unharmed. This procedure is most often used in treating two of the most common forms of skin
cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
The cure rate for Mohs micrographic surgery is the highest of all treatments for skin cancer. Cure rates exceed 99 percent for new cancers, and 95 percent for recurrent cancers. This procedure,
the most exact and precise method of tumor removal, minimizes the chance of regrowth and lessens the potential for scarring or disfigurement.
A small scar usually results from this type of surgery, but these generally blend well with your skin.
The Procedure
Mohs micrographic surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in our surgical suites under local anesthesia. The patient is awake and alert during the entire procedure and discomfort is usually
minimal. The Mohs process includes a specific sequence of
surgical and pathological investigation, to examine the removed tissue for evidence of extended cancer roots. Once the visible tumor is removed, we trace the paths of the tumor using two
key tools:a map of the surgical site and a microscope. After the local anesthesia has taken effect, the surgeon removes the visible portion of the tumor, then removes an additional, thin layer of
tissue from the tumor site and creates a "map" or drawing of the removed tissue to be used as a guide to the precise location of any remaining cancer cells. The entire bottom surface and outside edges of the tissue section are thoroughly examined under the microscope to check for evidence of remaining cancer cells if more tumor is found, its location is traced on the map so that
only areas with remaining skin cancer undergo further surgery.
If no more tumor is found the area is ready for reconstruction.
There are several options for repairing a wound after surgery.
The repair of the wound is usually performed on the same day and takes less than an hour to complete.
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Skin Cancer
If you have skin cancer, blemishes, moles or tattoos,
surgical removal is an option. While most moles are not pre-cancerous, the flat, deeply pigmented type maybe precede a highly cancerous skin tumor and should be evaluated.
Contact us for more information about Skin Cancer.
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