Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the most advanced treatment for skin cancer. Under the direction of Clarence W. Brown, Jr., MD, the Mohs Micrographic Surgery of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago has incorporated this state of the art skin cancer treatment into its comprehensive set of services.

At the Rush Great Skin Program we trace skin cancer down to its roots, ensuring complete removal. The procedure allows us to see beyond the visible disease, and precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, leaving the healthy tissue intact and unharmed.

What is Mohs?

Mohs is a microscopic surgical technique that removes individual layers of cancerous tissue. The visible part of any form of skin cancer may be the smallest part of the tumor that exists underneath. With the Mohs technique, as the tissue is removed it is examined layer by layer until all the cancerous tissue has been removed, while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Mohs involves three steps:

1. Removal
2. Examination of tissue
3. Reconstruction

• During removal, the Mohs surgeon removes tissue from the site and searches for evidence of extended cancer roots
• Once the evident tumor is removed, the doctor traces the path of the tumor using a map of the surgical site and a microscope to examine the excised tissue
• Once all the cancerous tissue is removed, the surgeon reconstructs the area with aesthetics in mind
• Some wounds heal on their own, while other require stitches to close the wound

What are the Advantages of Mohs?

• Highest cure rate of any existing procedure
• Preserves the maximum amount of normal skin resulting in smaller scars
• Involves fewer reconstructive procedures
• Minimizes risk of recurrence, eliminating costs of more invasive and serious surgery
• Performed in the surgeon’s office, with pathologic examinations conducted immediately
• Surgery often completed in a single day

What are the Indicators for Mohs Surgery?

• Cancer is in a difficult area where it is important to preserve the healthy tissue for functional and cosmetic results, especially head, neck, hands, genitalia, lips eyelids, nose, ears and fingers.
• Cancer has been previously treated and has recurred
• Cancer is large
• Cancer has indistinct borders
• Cancer is growing rapidly
• Cancer has formed in an area of extensive scar tissue

Clarence W. Brown, Jr., MD, is Director of Mohs Micrographic Surgery at the Rush Great Skin Program. He is a board-certified dermatologist and a Mohs micrographic surgery specialist.

Residing in Chicago since 1995, he completed his internship in internal medicine at The University of Chicago Hospitals, and his residency in dermatology at Rush University Medical Center.

Dr. Brown also completed a skin cancer fellowship in Mohs micrographic and reconstructive surgery at Baptist Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Upon completion, Dr. Brown returned to Chicago, creating a center devoted to skin cancer in the North Shore. In August of 2001, Dr. Brown accepted his current position as Director of Mohs Micrographic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center, continuing his center in Chicago’s North Shore community.

Dr. Brown is certified by The American Board of Dermatology, is a member of The American Academy of Dermatology, and is a member of The American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, the sole professional organization of physicians who have extensive training and experience in Mohs Micrographic Surgery.