The American College of Mohs Surgery Fellowship-Trained Difference

At Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, PLLC, we believe experience matters when it comes to skin cancer care.

Dr. Lance Henry, the region’s leading expert in skin cancer treatment, has performed over 19,000 Mohs surgeries since beginning his practice in Northwest Arkansas in 2007. Joining our team in Fall 2024, Dr. Martin brings extensive expertise in
dermatologic care and skin cancer surgery, primarily serving patients in Rogers. Dr. Martin trained under Dr. Christopher Harmon, a renowned Mohs surgeon and author of a key textbook, Mohs Micrographic Surgery: From Layers to Reconstruction.

Both Dr. Henry and Dr. Martin completed rigorous, year-long, ACGME-accredited fellowships in Micrographic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, and Dermatologic Oncology. As active members of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS), they represent the gold standard of expertise in Mohs surgery and skin cancer care.

Unfortunately, not all practitioners performing Mohs surgery have completed this level of specialized training. Some gain minimal experience through weekend courses and cannot become ACMS Fellows. This distinction is vital, as studies confirm that Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons achieve the highest cure rates and optimal outcomes.

Why Mohs?

Mohs surgeons, trained as ACMS Fellows, specialize in surgery, pathology, and reconstructive procedures.

The Mohs technique offers:

• Precise tumor removal while preserving healthy tissue, minimizing scarring.
• The highest cure rates (up to 99%) with reduced recurrence risk.
• Cost-effective treatment by performing tumor removal and reconstruction in one visit under local anesthesia.
• Faster recovery, allowing most patients to resume normal activities within days.

What Is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the most advanced treatment for skin cancer, offering the highest cure rates and the lowest recurrence rates among all skin cancer treatments. It is the gold standard for cancers in sensitive or high-risk areas such as  the head, neck, eyelids, nose, lips, hands, feet, and genitalia.

Mohs surgery is particularly effective for:

• Large cancers
• Aggressive cancers
• Cancers with undefined edges
• Recurrences after prior treatment
• Areas requiring cosmetic or functional precision

How Is Mohs Surgery Performed?

1. Tumor Removal: Under local anesthesia, the visible tumor is removed with a small margin of tissue by the Mohs surgeon.
2. Microscopic Analysis: The tissue is examined in our on-site lab by the same surgeon (now acting as the pathologist) to identify remaining cancer cells.
3. Repeat Stages: If necessary, additional layers are removed until no cancer remains.
4. Reconstruction: Once the cancer is fully removed, reconstructive surgery is performed by the same physician to ensure the best cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Skin Cancer Awareness

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., affecting an estimated 20% of Americans in their lifetime. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

• Daily diagnoses: 9,500 cases.
• Annual checks: Everyone should have an annual skin exam with a dermatologist and perform monthly self-checks at home.

Visit our website for patient resources and encourage your patients to prioritize regular skin exams.

Early detection saves lives.