What is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?

Mohs Micrographic Surgery or Mohs Chemosurgery is a highly specialized procedure for the total removal of skin cancers. This surgery uses a layer by layer method of removing skin cancer, with microscopic examination of 100% of the removed tissue margins. This procedure yields a cure rate of over 99%.

Dr. Papadopoulos, Dr. Kim and their staff have over 15 years of combined experience doing Mohs Micrographic surgery.  All physicians are members of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and are board-certified by the American Academy of Dermatology. Our state-of-the-art surgical facility and excellent staff will make sure that your Mohs surgical procedure is performed with the utmost care and comfort. Our extensive experience in surgical reconstruction also enhances our ability to give our patients an excellent cosmetic, post-operative result!

How does it work?

After a layer of tissue is removed by one of the physicians, it is taken to our in-house laboratory. The removed tissue is precisely dyed with special inks by the physician. A Micrographic map is made which corresponds to the excised tissue. The tissue is then frozen and slides are produced, and examined by Dr. Papadopoulos or Dr. Kim.

If no evidence of skin cancer remains, the procedure is completed. If the area is still positive for skin cancer, the precise location is marked on the map, and the physican takes another layer on just the positive area(s). The same process of inking, freezing, cutting, staining and reviewing of slides is repeated until a cancer free layer is reached.

How long does the procedure take?

Each layer may take 30-60 minutes to process. As a result, Mohs surgery requires patience by both the patient and the physician.

• View our Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Instructions for Mohs Micrographic Surgery

To learn more about Mohs Micrographic Surgery or to schedule surgery, you may call our Mohs Secretary, Zane Ragone, at 678-904-2348 or e-mail her.  Please remove the capitalized text in the e-mail address before sending the message.

For additional information on skin cancer and Mohs surgery, please consult some of the organizations of which we are members:

• American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology http://www.mohscollege.org/

• American Academy of Dermatology http://www.aad.org

• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery http://www.asds-net.org/