Explaining MOHS Surgery

MOHS SURGERY

Mohs Surgery is a microscopically controlled surgery used to treat the most common types of skin cancer- basal cell carcinoma (most common) and squamous cell carcinoma (more aggressive) This surgical technique, which is designed to completely remove the tumor, is named after its founder Dr. Frederic Mohs.

IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR MOHS SURGERY

Mohs Surgery is most commonly used for people who have skin cancers on the face, neck, or hands (high-risk locations), recurrent cancer at any site, a predisposition to multiple skin cancers, or rapidly growing or large
tumors.

THE PROCEDURE

During Mohs surgery, layers of cancer-containing skin are progressively removed and examined by the surgeon under the microscope until all the cancer is gone. Once the cancer is removed, the area is typically repaired with stitches.
Mohs Surgery is performed under local anesthetic, adding to the safety of this procedure. The four steps are:

(1) Tumor removal: After the skin has been numbed, the visible tumor is removed with a curette (a surgical instrument)