What are the advantages of Mohs Surgery?

By using these detailed mapping techniques and complete microscopic control, the Mohs surgeon can pinpoint areas involved with cancer that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.  Therefore, even the smallest microscopic roots of cancer can be removed.  The result is: (1) removal of as little normal skin as possible, and (2) the highest possibility for curing the cancer.

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Also, unlike standard surgery, the slides are examined the same day, eliminating the chance o finding a positive margin at an outside pathology lab and having to perform surgery at a later time to clear the margin.

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What are my chances or cure?

Mohs surgery cure rates have been reported from numerous studies to be around 99% for most skin cancers, and around 95% for recurrent cancers in which previous treatments have failed.  Other methods of treatment show cure rates of around 88-90% for untreated cancers, and dismal cure rates of around 50% for recurrent cancers.

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Disadvantages of Mohs surgery

The main trade-off with Mohs surgery is the time taken to complete the procedure.  The patient trades a lengthierprocedure for higher cure rate and a potentially smaller wound, resulting in an easier wound repair and smaller scar.  In addition, with Mohs the patient has the additional benefit of knowing that once the Mohs surgeon has cleared the margin, there will be no call later in the week for more surgery, as may occur with standard excision if tumor is noted to be left behind.

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When is Mohs surgery beneficial?​

Mohs surgery is essential in certain situations.  First, many cancers are more aggressive and have more spread wider and deeper than can be seen with the unaided eye.  In these situations, the cancer can develop “roots” similar to those of a plant that cannot be seen unless the entire margin is analyzed with the microscope.  This may be very important in certain patients with low immune systems due to disease or medication that can allow tumors to grow rapidly and beyond what can be seen with the eye.  Also, as Mohs surgery is a tissue-sparing technique, With its more narrow margins, patients with cancers of cosmetically sensitive areas such as the eyelids, nose, lips, ears can be cured without causing more tissue loss than is necessary.  This leads to easier repair and reconstruction of the wounds, and ultimately, better long-term cosmetic outcomes.  Also, Mohs really shines when it comes to curing recurrent cancers that in many cases cannot be cured without radical surgery unless Mohs is utilized.

 

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Why isn’t Mohs surgery performed on all skin cancers?​

There isn’t enough time or well-trained Mohs surgeons to treat every cancer that is diagnosed.  And in some cases, Mohs surgery is overkill.  Many skin cancers are small, non-aggressive, or located in areas of the body where there is a surplus of skin and removing a wider margin is inconsequential.  A well-trained and experienced general dermatologist can handle many skin cancers with standard excision or curettage, and knows which patients may benefit from referral for the tissue-sparing Mohs technique.

 

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Why is it called Mohs surgery?​

In the early 1930s, a young medical student at the University of Wisconsin named Frederic Mohs was inspired by the idea of curing tumors by complete microscopic evaluation of the surrounding tissue.  His procedure was initially called Mohs Chemosurgery because zinc chloride was applied to the cancer before removal and checking the margins for clearance. His procedure resulted in dramatic cures in high numbers even for seemingly hopeless tumors.  Later it was discovered that it was really the process of clearing the margin of all cancer cells, and not any topical chemotherapy, that resulted in cure.  Dr. Mohs trained as a general surgeon and spent his entire career refining the technique of surgical removal and pathologic examination and publishing his work.  Later, Dr. Mohs began to train other physicians in his method.  General surgeons as a specialty did not embrace the technique because they had no background in pathology or laboratory medicine.  Dermatologists, who have extensive training in dermatopathology and microscopic evaluation, saw the potential of the procedure and began to learn it.  Today, Mohs micrographic surgery is recognized as the treatment with the highest cure rates for skin cancer and is performed almost entirely by dermatologists with special training in surgery.

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In addition to the Mohs Micrographic Surgery,  our clinic also specializes in various treatment for different skin conditions.  Our providers will determine the best treatment option for each case. Some of these treatments may include:

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-Excision of Malignant Lesions

-Excisions with Delayed Repair

-Electrodessication & Currettage (ED&C)

-Superficial Radiation Therapy (XRT)

-Photodynamic Therapy for Actinic Keratosis (PDT Therapy)

-Nail Biopsies

-Full Body Skin Exams

-Skin Biopsies 

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