What is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?
Frederic E. Mohs, MD, developed the
micrographic surgical technique that bears his
name. It is a highly specialized method of
removing skin cancers that uses microscopic
guidance to decrease the likelihood of leaving
behind extensions of cancer that are not
visible at the the skin surface [Figure 1];
and to avoid wide cuts that would remove
healthy skin and unnecessarily increase
scarring [Figure 2].
Mohs micrographic surgery offers the best
chance that your cancer is completely
removed, while sparing as much healthy skin
as possible [Figure 3].
The precision of Mohs
micrographic surgery results
in two major advantages:
- the highest published
cure rates for many forms of skin
cancer, making it less likely for
cancer to grow back; and
- maximal preservation of healthy skin, which
leads to the best possible
cosmetic and functional result.
These advantages make Mohs
micrographic surgery especially
useful for the treatment of skin
cancers that are large, have poorly
defined edges, have grown back
after previous treatments, or are
located on areas of the body
where keeping the surgical wound
as small as possible is critical in
obtaining excellent cosmetic and
functional outcomes.
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Figure
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Figure 2
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Figure
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