Mohs Surgery

Mohssurgery is a highly effective treatment for certain types of skin cancer. It is an exacting procedure in which surgical excision of the skin cancer and microscopic examination of the surgical margins are made to ensure that all skin cancer cells have been removed. Mohs surgery is not always indicated for certain skin cancers but is an effective use for other cancers of the skin. Dr. McDonald is a Fellow of the American Society For Mohs Surgery.

When is Mohs micrographic surgery indicated?

Several effective methods are used to treat skin cancer with reasonably high cure rates, but Mohs surgery produces the highest success rates. Mohs micrographic surgery is used primarily to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas but may be used to treat less common tumors, including early-stage melanoma.

Approximately 75-80% of all skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas; approximately 15 -20% of skin cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.

The American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, the preeminent organization governing fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons, cites the following current Indications for Mohs surgery:

·The malignant melanoma was treated previously and recurred

·Scar tissue exists in the area of the cancer

·The cancer is in an area where healthy tissue must be preserved for maximum functional and cosmetic results, i.e., eyelids, nose, ears, lips, fingers, genitals, etc.

·The cancer is large

·The edges of the cancer cannot be clearly defined

·The cancer grows rapidly or uncontrollably