Mohs Micrographic Surgery, according to the American College of Mohs Surgery, is the most advanced and effective treatment procedure for skin cancer available today.  The procedure is performed by specially trained doctors.  Both Dr. McDonnell and Dr. Hurt are trained to perform Mohs Micrographic Surgeries and are members of the American Society for Mohs Surgery.  This procedure is performed in our Lakewood office and usually takes only a few hours to complete.  In some cases, however, the complete procedure may require the patient to be in the office all day. 

Initially developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs, the Mohs procedure is a state-of-the-art treatment that has been continuously refined over 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.  As 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, pathology, and reconstruction, Mohs surgery has the highest success rate of all treatments for skin cancer - up to 99 percent.  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 the cancer and ensure complete removal of all tumors down to the roots during the initial surgery.

For more information, please visit the American Society for Mohs Surgery.  Under the Patient Resources tab, you can find a Patient Brochure, Patient Video, and Frequently Asked Questions.