What are the advantages of Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery allows surgeons to verify that all cancer cells have been removed at the time of surgery (by frozen section analysis), increasing the chance of a cure and reducing the need for additional treatments or surgery. In addition, by carefully mapping out the tumor during the Mohs procedure, the surgeon removes cancerous tissue and leaves as much normal skin as possible. The cure rate for Mohs surgery approaches 99% for most primary (untreated) cancers with a slightly lower cure rate for secondary or recurrent (previously treated) cancers.
How does the Mohs procedure work?
A Mohs surgery begins in the morning with the area around the patient’s skin cancer being frozen using local anesthetic. Skin and tissue around the visible portion of the cancer are then removed with a scalpel and brought to the adjacent lab for frozen sectioning. During this time, a bandage is applied to the surgical site and the patient remains in the clinic. If the slides show that cancer still exists at the margins of the specimen, then the patient returns to the procedure room where any area of remaining cancer is removed exactly as before. The process is repeated until the last tissue sample removed by the surgeon is cancer-free. In most cases, the area under investigation is reconstructed and the patient returns home the same day.
Can a family doctor refer a patient for Mohs surgery?
Family doctors can refer patients with biopsy-proven non-melanoma skin cancer. Please include pathology results with all referrals. To refer a patient, please use this referral form. Referrals can be faxed to 613-545-2202. Patients may also be referred by a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or other specialist.
What are the criteria for referral?
Biopsy-proven non-melanoma skin cancers that are ill-defined, have high-risk features such as infiltrating or micronodular subtype, are recurrent or are in cosmetically or functionally-sensitive areas are suitable for treatment with Mohs surgery.
Who can I contact for further information?
If you have questions about the Mohs micrographic surgery procedure or clinic, please contact us using the information below:
Phone: 613-544-3310, extension 3415
Fax: 613-545-2202
