American College of
Mohs Surgery

(800) 500-7224 www.mohscollege.org

If you've been diagnosed with skin cancer, you probably have questions about how it can be treated. More than 3 million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, so you are not alone.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is an advanced surgical technique that offers the highest cure rate - 99% for most types of skin cancer. Furthermore, it is a tissue sparing procedure that offers superior cosmetic results. It should be performed by a highly trained and experienced surgeon, like those that are on staff with Associates in Dermatology.

You should understand that:

Not all cancer cells are apparent to the naked eye.
Many 'invisible' cells may form roots or fingers of diseased tissue that can extend beyond the boundaries of a visible cancer.
If all the cancer cells are not completely removed, the cancer will re-grow, making it necessary to have it removed again.

The types of cancer most likely to warrant Mohs Micrographic Surgery:

Are located in cosmetically sensitive or functionally critical areas around the eyes, nose, lips, scalp, fingers, toes or genitals.
Are large, aggressive, or growing rapidly.
Are recurrent.
Have ill-defined edges.

For these cancers, common treatment methods may not be successful because they rely on the human eye to determine the extent of the cancer. These methods may remove too little cancer which can cause it to recur, spread, and require additional surgery. It can also result in the removal of too much healthy tissue and may cause unnecessary scarring.

American College of Mohs Surgeons are fellowship-trained surgeons who have extensive training in skin cancer removal and reconstructive surgery. Our surgeons, who are members of the American College of Mohs Surgery, are able to perform the reconstructive surgery immediately after microscopic analysis confirms that the cancer is completely removed.

Mohs Micrograhic Surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, in one day, under local anesthesia. The healing process is similar to that of most surgical procedures with minimal discomfort and the greatest preservation of normal tissue, thereby minimizing scarring.

If left untreated, skin cancer can continue to progress and be potentially life-threatening. Do not delay in getting treatment if you have been diagnosed with skin cancer or have concerns about a skin growth. Please visit www.mohscollege.org for more infomation regarding Mohs surgical therapy for your skin cancer.