Mohs' Micrographic Surgery

Common misconceptions about Mohs' Micrographic Surgery:

1. "Mohs' Micrographic Surgery leaves a big scar".

False. Mohs' Micrographic Surgery actually removes less normal (non-cancerous) tissue than nearly any other surgical modality and usually results in less scar. Mohs' Surgery is a method used to remove tumors, it is not a method to repair the resultant defects. A bad outcome is usually due to one of the following reasons:

The defect (hole) after the tumor was removed was left to heal without stitches, when putting stitches in would have been a better option

The defect (hole) after the tumor was removed was closed with stitches, but the repair was not as good as it could have been.

The defect (hole) after the tumor was removed was closed with stitches, but the area did not heal well for one of many reasons.

The tumor was in a bad location or was a large tumor that resulted in significant scar.

Sometimes, additional surgery or other procedures may be needed to obtain an optimal cosmetic outcome.

2. "Mohs' Micrographic Surgery costs too much money and is not necessary".

False, in many cases. Several studies have shown that Mohs' Micrographic Surgery is extremely cost-effective in the treatment of skin cancers in that it has the lowest recurrence rate (least chance of the cancer growing back). Mohs' surgery is more costly than some treatments, but usually costs much less than radiation or surgery that is performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center. Many tumors do not require Mohs' surgery and discussion with one's doctor or Mohs' Surgeon is recommended to help choose an appropriate treatment method.

after the removal of a basal cell carcinoma using Mohs' Micrographic Surgery	1 week after Plastic Surgery performed by Dr. Bader

after removal of a basal cell carcinoma using Mohs' Micrographic Surgery	Immediately after reconstruction using a skin flap and full-thickness skin graft performed by Dr. Bader.
after removal of a basal cell carcinoma	immediately after reconstruction using a skin graft performed by Dr. Bader
after removal of a basal cell carcinoma	several months later after reconstruction using a skin and muscle flap (myocutaneous flap) performed by Dr. Bader
after removal of a basal cell carcinoma	1 week after flap repair performed by Dr. Bader

Mohs' Micrographic Surgery is a highly specialized method of removing and examining cancerous tissue to ensure its removal. Frederic Mohs first invented this procedure, which is named after him. For the most common forms of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), this procedure has the highest cure rate (least chance of the skin cancer growing back).

Step 1: The area is cleansed with alcohol.

Step 2: The visible tumor is identified and marked (usually with a purple gentian violet marking pen)

Step 3: The area is numbed using tiny needles and injecting a local anesthetic

Step 4: The area is prepped (cleansed) using Betadine^® or Hibiclens^® to reduce the risk of infection.

Step 5: The tumor itself is often removed using a curette (small sharp tool) or cut out using a scalpel.

Step 6: A small margin (usually < 1mm) of normal appearing skin is removed all around and underneath the area where the tumor was. This is called Stage 1. This skin is used for examination.

Step 7: The skin removed from Step 6 is inked for orientation purposes so that if there is any cancer remaining, the surgeon can go to the exact location where it remains to remove more tissue (which would beStage 2, etc.).

Step 8: The tissue is then frozen and cut and placed onto glass slides that will be stained.

Step 9: The slides are then examined by the surgeon to ensure that all of the cancer is out. If the cancer is not all out, the surgeon can locate the area on the patient where cancer remains by the dyes that were used for orientation purposes and take an additional stage (see steps 7-9).

Step 10: After all of the cancer is out, the wound can be left to heal by itself (without stitches) or closed using stitches.

About Robert S. Bader, M.D and his training:

After completing a residency and serving as Chief Resident in Dermatology at MCP-Hahnemann University Hosptial, Dr. Bader completed a one-year fellowship in Mohs' Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Plastic Surgery. Mohs' Micrographic Surgery is only a method to remove a tumor. Following the removal of the tumor, Dr. Bader utilizes Plastic Surgery to recontruct the defect to leave the smallest possible scar. In fact, Dr. Bader is able to reconstruct 99% of the cases in the office immediately after Mohs' Micrographic Surgery. In addition to the added convenience of having the procedure completed in one location on a single day in nearly all cases, one does not have to go to a hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center, which can cost thousands of dollars. To learn more about Dr. Bader, click on his picture on the top right hand corner of the webpage.