Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery, also known as Mohs micrographic surgery, is a surgical technique used to remove skin cancer. It is named after its inventor, Dr. Frederic Mohs, who developed the technique in the 1930s at the University of Wisconsin. Today it is the gold standard for skin cancer cure. Dermatological surgeons, like Dr. Stees, are experts in the science and management of skin cancer.

With Mohs surgery, Dr. Stees acts as both the surgeon who removes the cancerous tissue, and the pathologist who analyzes the tissue specimens to ensure complete tumor removal. Likewise, Dr. Stees has extensive training and experience in the reconstruction of the surgical defect that results from removal of the cancerous tumor.

Mohs is a highly specialized type of skin cancer surgery that offers the highest cure rates for the two most common skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The Skin Cancer Foundation reports cure rates of 99% for skin cancer that has not been treated before, and up to a 94% cure rate for skin cancer that has recurred after a previous treatment.

Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure performed in the office using local anesthetic. It is performed in stages during one office visit. The patient waits between stages while Dr. Stees examines the tissue sample under a microscope in the office lab.

At each stage Dr. Stees maps the location of any remaining cancer cells.  If he finds remaining cancer cells, he will know exactly where they are and will remove the next layer of tissue from that specific location. This process is repeated until no cancer cells remain. Then the wound is closed, or reconstructive surgery is performed.

The advantages of Mohs surgery include:

1. High cure rate: Mohs surgery has a high cure rate for skin cancer, with reported cure rates ranging from 95% to 99%.
2. Tissue preservation: Mohs surgery is a tissue-sparing technique, meaning that it removes as little healthy tissue as possible while ensuring complete removal of the cancerous tissue. This is especially important for skin cancers that occur on the face or other cosmetically sensitive areas.
3. Precise removal: Mohs surgery removes cancerous tissue in a layer-by-layer fashion, allowing the surgeon to precisely remove all the cancerous cells while minimizing the removal of healthy tissue.
4. Immediate analysis: Mohs surgery involves the immediate microscopic analysis of the removed tissue, which allows for a more accurate assessment of the extent of the cancer and ensures complete removal of the cancerous tissue during the procedure.
5. Minimal scarring: By preserving healthy tissue and using a layer-by-layer approach, Mohs surgery can result in minimal scarring compared to other surgical techniques.
6. Suitable for difficult-to-treat cancers: Mohs surgery is often used for skin cancers that are difficult to treat or have a high risk of recurrence, such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Mohs surgery is a highly effective and precise technique for treating skin cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

1. Time-consuming: Mohs surgery can take several hours to a full day to complete, as each layer of tissue must be analyzed under a microscope to ensure complete removal of the cancerous tissue.
2. Discomfort: As with any surgery, there may be some discomfort or pain during and after the procedure.
3. Not suitable for all types of skin cancer: While Mohs surgery is highly effective for certain types of skin cancer, it may not be the best option for all cases, such as melanoma or large, aggressive tumors.

It is important to discuss the potential benefits and risks of Mohs surgery with Dr. Stees to determine if it is the best treatment option for a particular case of skin cancer.