Surgical Dermatology & Mohs Cancer Surgery

Mohs Surgery

Developed in the 1930's by Dr. Frederic Mohs, a general surgeon at the University of Wisconsin, Mohs micrographic surgery involves removing a skin cancer one layer at a time and examining them under a microscope immediately after removal. A local anesthetic is injected into the skin before the surgery and then the skin cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue is removed, one layer at a time. Each layer of tissue is immediately examined for cancer cells and the surgery is complete when no more cancer cells can be detected. Recovery can take anywhere between 2 and 4 weeks.

Why should you consider Mohs micrographic surgery?

• If the type of cancer you have is likely to return, Mohs surgery is more effective in obtaining cancer-free margins.
• If located in visible areas or areas where skin tissue should be preserved, like your nose, ears or eyelids, this type of surgery is highly recommended for its minimal invasiveness.
• If the cancer is growing quickly, or has a high risk of spreading, Mohs surgery is a quick and effective way to curb potential damage.
• This procedure can also be effective for certain types of cancer that occur in children.
• Treatment with Mohs surgery offers the highest success rates for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (almost 99% and when compared with similar types of treatments, recurrence is less likely after Mohs micrographic surgery).

Surgical Skin Cancer and Mole Removal

In addition to Mohs surgery for skin cancer, Horwitz Dermatology also offers surgical procedures for the removal of moles and skin cancer.