Overview of Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the gold standard in skin cancer excision that provides the highest cure rate for skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. This advanced procedure requires a higher level of expertise and skill than a standard skin cancer excision and is completed in-office, typically performed under local anesthesia.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is named after its inventor, Dr. Frederic Mohs of the University of Wisconsin. It involves surgical excision of cancer containing tissue and systematic microscopic examination of all cut surfaces that are correlated with a drawn map of the wound (hence the term “micrographic”). It is a highly specialized procedure for the total removal of skin cancers. All other methods of skin cancer treatments require a certain amount of ‘educated guessing’ in how wide and deep to remove.

In Mohs Micrographic Surgery, the tissue is examined under the microscope and the tumor is mapped so that the guessing of the extent of the cancer is eliminated. In this way, the skin cancer is traced out to its roots with little guesswork involved, which results in the removal of as little normal tissue as possible and the highest chance of cure. Because of these specific advantages, Mohs Micrographic Surgery is considered the surgery of choice.

Using the Mohs Micrographic Surgical Technique, the percentage of success (complete removal of skin cancer) offers the highest possible cure rate (99%), even if other forms of treatment have failed.

 * Skin cancers must meet specific criteria in order for Mohs surgery to be performed.

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Why Choose a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon?

Not all surgeons are created equal, and not all physicians performing Mohs surgery are fellowship-trained.

As Mohs Micrographic Surgery has become the gold standard in skin cancer excision, an increasing number of physicians are now performing this intricate procedure. However, not all physicians are Fellowship-trained Mohs Surgeons, which requires extensive training and education. 

Dr. Ashourian and Dr. Lapiere are proud to be able to provide exceptional treatment and care to their patients as certified Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeons with the highest degree of Mohs surgery qualification.