Drs. Bridget Bryer and Lynn Dengel: When is Mohs surgery the best skin cancer treatment option? [Video]

One of the recent advances in treatment for skin cancer is Mohs surgery, also referred to as Mohs micrographic surgery. This is a specialized surgery in which the surgeon does a microscope check of the removed skin during the procedure to make sure that the cancer is clear and to remove the least amount of healthy skin, resulting in very high cure rates. It is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia by a physician who has received specialized training through a fellowship in Mohs micrographic surgery.

Here is a breakdown of when Mohs is — and isn’t — a treatment option for skin cancer.

When Mohs is recommended

Mohs is especially beneficial for patients whose skin cancer is in an area where it is more challenging to take a larger amount of skin, such as the ears and face.

The American Academy of Dermatology, in collaboration with specialty surgical societies, has developed …