SURGICAL

Mohs micrographic surgery, named after its inventor Dr. Mohs, is the most advanced treatment for skin cancer available today. With up to a 99% success rate, it is also the most effective, even if the cancer has been treated previously using another method. More than 2 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year, and one in five people will develop skin cancer in the course of their lifetime. Often skin cancer occurs in cosmetically sensitive areas, such as the face and hands.

The Mohs surgical technique is the most effective technique for removing skin cancers while minimizing the sacrifice of normal surrounding tissue to achieve the best cosmetic result possible. The cancer is removed in stages, one skin layer at a time until all the cancer has been removed. One of the many advantages of Mohs surgery is that it limits the removal of healthy, uninvolved tissue, so scarring can be as minimal as possible.

Mohs surgeons are specially trained in oncology, pathology, and surgical reconstruction. While many physicians advertise that they perform Mohs surgery, only members of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) complete fellowship training. They are chosen through a competitive process, similar to residency, and are required to complete a large number of Mohs surgery cases under the supervision of experienced ACMS-approved Mohs surgeons in a rigorous, accredited, post-residency fellowship. The fellow is not only trained with surgeons in proper removal technique, but also in reading the slides to ensure that the cancer is adequately removed. They also spend a great deal of time in learning plastic surgery techniques to repair the wounds with the best possible outcomes. Our Mohs surgeon, Dr. Maralyn Seavolt completed her Mohs fellowship at the University of Louisville and is an ACMS member. Please see www.skincancermohssurgery.org, www.skincancer.org, and www.mohscollege.org for more information.