James K. Poulton, MD, FAAD

Thomas F. Smith, MD, FAAD

 5233 King Avenue # 204 Baltimore, MD 21237 (410) 574-3100

Source: mohssurgery.org

What is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery can be described as the surgical removal of skin cancer and other appropriately-indicated malignancies followed by microscopic examination of graphically-oriented, oblique tangential histologic sections of the entire surgical margin of excised tissue, to ensure the complete removal of the malignant tissue.

In other words, the Mohs surgeon removes the first level of cancerous tissue, draws a corresponding diagram or "map" to ensure proper orientation on the patient, and the Mohs technician efficiently sections and stains the tissue to prepare a microscope slide. The Mohs surgeon then "reads" the slide to determine which margins still contain cancer cells. This process is repeated until the lesion and any cancerous "roots" have been completely removed. At this time the surgeon closes the surgical defect using one of a variety of simple to complex reconstruction techniques.


Patient Preparation
Prospective patients may wish to review our patient education video for an introduction to the Mohs procedure. If you have been diagnosed with a skin cancer for which Mohs surgery is indicated, the video will answer many of your questions. Please discuss any additional concerns with your dermatologist or Mohs surgeon.