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About Mohs Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is the most advanced, precise, and effective treatment for removing most skin cancer types. Mohs Surgery is a surgical technique that removes the visible tumor and any microscopic cancer cells that may have extended beneath the skin surface.

Our Mohs Surgeons

Dr. Oliver Wisco and Dr. Matthew Clark are Mohs surgeons with advanced experience in removing skin cancers. During Mohs surgery, Dr. Wisco or Dr. Clark progressively removes and microscopically examine thin layers of cancer-containing skin until cancer-free tissue remains. The immediate microscopic examination of removed tissue is what differentiates Mohs surgery from other skin cancer removal procedures. The cancerous tissue is removed with minimal normal tissue sacrifice, minimizing post-operative wound size and recurrence chances. Mohs surgery is typically completed in an outpatient setting with a local anesthetic.

Mohs surgery is ideal for the elimination of skin cancers in cosmetically and functionally critical areas, such as head, neck, hands, shins, and feet. It is also used for tumors that have recurred or tumors that have indistinct borders where it is difficult to see the tumor edges. In patients that have a decreased immune system, Mohs surgery should be considered for all skin cancers, regardless of location. Mohs surgery is also indicated for aggressive types of skin cancer.

Mohs surgery is unique and effective because of the way the removed tissue is microscopically examined, evaluating 100% of the tissue edges. The tissue is reviewed microscopically in the clinic by our Mohs surgeons, who are specially trained in the reading of these slides and are best qualified to correlate microscopic findings with the surgical site on the patient. Advantages of Mohs surgery include:

1

Ensuring complete cancer removal during surgery, minimizing the chance of cancer growing back.

2

Minimizing the amount of healthy tissue loss.

3

Maximizing the functional and cosmetic outcome after surgery.

4

Repairing the site of cancer the same day the cancer is removed, in most cases.

5

Curing skin cancer when other methods have failed.

What to Expect During Mohs Surgery [Infographic]

Image credit to American Academy of Dermatology Association

Mohs Fellowship Training

Upon completing a one-year internship followed by a three-year dermatology residency, a dermatologist can apply for a Micrographic Surgery & Dermatologic Oncology (Mohs) fellowship training program. Qualified applicants undergo an extremely competitive selection process to obtain a one-year fellowship position with a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Once selected, fellows are trained in operative and non-operative treatments for skin cancer patients and exposure to long-term results, recurrences, and complications. Ultimately, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons are the most comprehensively trained physicians to care for skin cancer patients or patients at risk for skin cancer.

Dr. Oliver Wisco completed a dual fellowship in Mohs Surgery and Melanoma in the Boston, MA area. Dr. Matthew Clark completed a Mohs Surgery fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic.

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