Mohs surgery, also known as microscopically controlled surgery, was developed by Frederic Mohs, MD, for the treatment of certain skin cancers. Performed under local anesthesia, the technique combines surgical removal of the skin cancer with immediate microscopic examination of the removed tissue in order to identify any residual cancerous tissue. The surgeon continues the process of removing tissue and studying it under the microscope until all cancer has been removed. Following skin cancer removal, wounds are also reconstructed using a number of sophisticated techniques to preserve function and appearance.
High Cure Rate
The Mohs technique has the highest cure rate of all skin cancer treatment methods and involves the surgical removal of the least amount of tissue possible in order to adequately treat the cancer. Patients are normally referred to the Mohs unit by a dermatologist or other health care provider after a skin biopsy procedure has revealed the presence of a skin cancer.
Jonathan Cook, MD
Christopher Stamey, MD
Locations
Duke Mohs Micrographic Surgery
5324 McFarland Dr. Ste 400, Durham, NC 27707
Duke Lightner Dermatology
11081 Forest Pines Dr, Ste 110, Raleigh, NC 27614
For answers to frequently asked questions about preparing for microscopically controlled (Mohs') surgery for the removal of skin tumors, please read the Guide to Skin Cancer and Mohs' Surgery.