What is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?

Mohs Micrographic Surgery was named after Dr. Frederick Mohs, an American surgeon who pioneered the technique from the 1930s to the 1970s. 

 Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a specialized surgical and pathological technique used for the removal of high risk skin cancers.  This technique is done on an outpatient basis under local anesthetic utilizing conventional surgical instruments.  The procedure allows a dermatologist to identify more than just the visible surface of the tumour, and instead precisely visualize and remove the entire cancer, leaving as much healthy tissue as possible unharmed. 

 It is most often used to treat the two most common forms of skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma - but can be used to treat a variety of other skin cancers.  An exception to this is melanoma, for which a wide local excision remains the standard of care.  Mohs Micrographic Surgery offers the highest cure rate for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma – up to 99% for untreated tumours and 96% for tumours that recur after other forms of treatment have failed.

 To find out more about Mohs Micrographic Surgery, click on the following links:

• Mohs Micrographic Surgery Coming to Saint John

• When is this type of surgery used?

• Are there other clinics offering this service in Canada?

• The Clinic at SJRH

• Read About Dr. Hayes

• News Releases

• Information for Patients

Last Revised:  2004-06-14