Skin Cancer Surgery, known as Mohs Micrographic Surgery, and also known as chemosurgery, was developed in 1938 by Frederic E. Mohs. This surgery is a microscopically controlled surgery used to treat common types of skin cancer.

During the surgery, tissue is removed and examined under a microscope for cancer cells while the patient waits. Using this process, the surgeon can then immediately decide if more tissue removal is required. Mohs surgery allows for the removal of skin cancer while healthy tissue is spared and with a very narrow surgical margin and a high cure rate.

For primary basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, Mohs Micrographic Surgery has been stated to have a cure rate of between 97% and 99.8%. Mohs procedure is also used for squamous cell carcinoma, although it has a lower cure rate.

This surgery is an in-office procedure, and a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area before the surgery is performed. Mohs micrographic surgery may be used for the removal of skin cancer that:

• It is likely to return.
• It is in visible areas or areas where skin tissue should be preserved, such as on the ears, nose, or eyelids
• It is growing quickly
• Has a high risk of spreading to other parts of the body, such as in some squamous cell carcinomas
• Occurs in children