Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the most advanced treatment for skin cancer. Under the direction of Jeffrey Altman, 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

Jeffrey S. Altman, MD is an assistant professor and assistant attending in the Dermatology Department at the Rush University Medical Center. He is a board certified dermatologist specializing in Mohs, Laser, and Cutaneous Surgery. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatological surgery, and the prestigious Noah Worcester Dermatological Society.

Dr. Altman completed his undergraduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis where he received his AB degree. He then attended Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed his MD degree in 1990. His post-doctoral training included an internship in Internal Medicine at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, a residency in Dermatology at Rush University Medical Center, and a fellowship at Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin.

He has written multiple peer-reviewed articles which were published in Dermatology journals and other medical journals, and has presented at numerous state and national meetings. He is past-president of both the Chicago Dermatological Society and the Illinois Dermatological Society. His professional interests include skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, and skin cancer surgery.