Mohs Micrographic Surgery

THE VIVIDA DIFFRENCE

Who offers Mohs?

There are many dermatologists who offer Mohs surgery. But how do you know what the differences are between them, and which is the best?

There are two common ways to become a Mohs surgery specialist: through the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) and through the American Society for Mohs Surgery (ASMS).

Surgeons who belong to the ACMS are fellowship-trained, which means they completed 1-2 years of additional hands-on training in Mohs surgery under the direct supervision of a highly qualified surgeon after finishing residency. During this time, Fellows must complete a minimum of 500 Mohs cases. The fellowship training programs are heavily regulated and reviewed to ensure that graduates receive a comprehensive education, including skin cancer removal with the Mohs procedure and reconstructive surgery techniques to obtain excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes. Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons have experience removing tumors in difficult locations, performing complex wound reconstruction, and successfully dealing with surgical complications and cancer recurrence. The stringent requirements to become an ACMS fellow ensure that fellowship trained Mohs specialists are highly experienced, competent surgeons who will provide optimal outcomes for patients.

The American Society for Mohs Surgery was founded by a group of Dermatologists who had received Mohs training in Residency and had integrated the Mohs technique into their practices. The ASMS was envisioned as a professional medical society that would provide important professional and educational support for the increasing number of Residency-trained Mohs surgeons who did not participate in a fellowship program. Surgeons who belong to the ASMS must complete 75 Mohs cases, 45 of which could have been performed during their dermatology residency training period. The society requires passing of a comprehensive examination as well as an in-depth peer-review process, although no additional formal training in surgery, reconstruction, or advanced pathology is required. The ASMS has welcomed members from both Mohs Fellowship training and Residency training backgrounds and created an environment in which members could openly share their Mohs knowledge and experience with other dermatologists.

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What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs micrographic surgery is a well-established outpatient method of treating skin cancer which provides the highest cure rate – approximately 98% for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. It is also used in treating Melanoma and other, rare cancers. The procedure was developed by Dr. Frederick Mohs at the University of Wisconsin in the 1930’s and is now used throughout the world. It is considered the “Gold Standard” in skin cancer surgery.

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