The Mohs Micrographic Surgery Process

Mohs SurgeryMohs surgery is usually an outpatient procedure performed in a physician’s office. Typically, it starts early in the morning and can be completed the same day, depending on the extent of the tumor and the amount of reconstruction necessary. Local anesthesia is administered around the area of the tumor, so the patient is awake during the entire procedure.

Mohs Micrographic surgery is the most advanced and effective treatment procedure for skin cancer. The procedure is performed by specifically trained surgeons who have completed at least one additional year of fellowship training (in addition to the physician’s three-year dermatology residency) under the tutelage of a Mohs College member.

Initially developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs procedure is a state-of-the-art treatment that has been continually refined over the last 70 years. With the Mohs technique, physicians are able to see beyond the visible disease, to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor layer by layer while leaving the surrounding healthy tissue intact and unharmed.

Mohs Pathology LabAs the most exact and precise method of tumor removal, it minimizes the chance of re-growth and lessens the potential for scarring or disfigurement. Because the physician is specially trained in surgery and pathology, Mohs surgery has the highest success rate of all treatments for skin cancer – up to 99%. The Mohs technique is also the treatment of choice for cancers of the face and other sensitive areas as it relies on the accuracy of a microscopic surgical procedure to trace the edges of cancer and ensure complete removal of all tumors.

At Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Centers, PLLC, we are fortunate to have Dr. Henry, the most experienced and highly trained Mohs surgeon in Northwest Arkansas, as the director of our clinics. Having performed over 18,000 Mohs surgeries to date, Dr. Henry is one of only two Fellowship-trained Mohs Surgeon in the area. Fellowship-trained is the highest level of training surgeons who specialize in this procedure can attain. There are only 1,500 worldwide.

Our Fayetteville clinic is the only one of its kind in this state with a comprehensive dermatology clinic, full-service medical spa, pathology laboratory, Mohs surgery laboratory, and full-accredited Ambulatory Surgery Center, all under one roof. This unique setting allows patients to have Mohs surgery procedures (skin cancer surgery) and complex reconstructive post-skin cancer surgery at the same facility. Under one roof is easier for you! Meaning everything can be accomplished under one roof, many times in one visit.

We welcome you and your family to our offices and are humbled to be your resource for healthy skin.

Mohs Surgery: The Most Effective Treatment for Skin Cancer

Cirugía de Mohs: el tratamiento más eficaz para el cáncer de piel

Revive Medical Spa | Mohs Surgery Process

Step 1:
The roots of skin cancer may extend beyond the visible portion of the tumor. If these roots are not removed, the cancer will recur.

Revive Medical Spa | Mohs Surgery

Step 2:
The visible portion of the tumor is surgically removed.

Revive | Mohs Surgery Process

Step 3:
A layer of skin is removed and divided into sections. The ACMS surgeon then color codes each of these sections with dyes and makes reference marks on the skin to show the source of these sections. A map of the surgical site is then drawn.

Mohs Surgery Process | Advanced Dermatology

Step 4:
The undersurface and edges of each section are microscopically examined for evidence of remaining cancer.

Advanced Dermatology | Mohs Surgery Steps

Step 5:
If cancer cells are found under the microscope, the ACMS surgeon marks their location onto the “map” and returns to the patient to remove another layer of skin- but only from precisely where the cancer cells remain.

Step 6:
The removal process stops when there is no longer any evidence of cancer remaining in the surgical site. Because Mohs surgery removes only tissue containing cancer, it ensures that the maximum amount of healthy tissue is kept intact.

This content shows before and after Mohs Surgery and may be sensitive for some viewers.

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Mohs Surgery Pre-op Post op

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Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, PLLC

Revive Medical Spa, LLC