What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly specialized technique for the removal of skin cancers that provides a high cure rate while also preserving as much normal skin as possible, thereby minimizing the size of the resulting scar. Mohs surgery is named in honor of Dr. Frederic Mohs, the surgeon who developed the technique. The method is different from all other methods of treating skin cancer by the use of detailed mapping techniques and complete microscopic examination of all the surgical margins. By using this technique, the Mohs surgeon can precisely pinpoint cancer that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. Mohs surgery is the gold standard for treatment of skin cancers on the head and neck, other areas where skin preservation is important, or in cases where the skin cancer is considered large or aggressive.