Surgical Dermatology

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, our Mohs surgeons are leaders in the field of skin cancer treatment. They are board-certified dermatologists and fellowship trained Mohs micrographic surgeons who have completed additional training in the highly specialized technique of Mohs micrographic surgery, which is used to treat skin cancer, and reconstructive surgery.

Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the world, is easily treatable with a very high cure rate when detected early. The treatments offered by our Mohs surgeons are highly effective in removing common skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, some forms of early melanoma, and a range of other, more rare skin cancers. In addition to Mohs surgery, they offer other treatments for skin cancer, atypical moles, and benign growths such as cysts.

Our compassionate physicians are dedicated to treating your skin cancer and providing you with an excellent cure rate and cosmetic outcome. If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, there are many decisions to make about your treatment plan. At UT Southwestern, we are committed to working with you to provide the best results and experience possible.

About Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is named after the late Frederick Mohs, M.D., who is the surgeon who developed the technique in the 1930s. Dr. Mohs recognized that skin cancer can have roots that extend deeper and wider into the skin. These roots can be seen under a microscope. Mohs surgery is a highly specialized and precise excision technique in which the cancer is removed in stages, one tissue layer at a time. After each removal step, the layer is examined under a microscope to determine whether cancer remains in the patient’s skin and, if present, where exactly it is located so that the surgeon can pinpoint exactly where to remove the remaining skin cancer.

This technique is a highly effective way to treat common skin cancers. The cure rate is approximately 99% for primary (never-treated) lesions. It is so successful because it microscopically examines 100% of the margins to ensure the entire skin cancer has been removed. This surgery also spares as much normal skin as possible leaving the smallest surgical defect, which allows for the smallest scar and best cosmetic result. Mohs surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.

At UT Southwestern, our surgeons also provide immediate local tissue reconstruction after Mohs surgery. Our dermatologic surgeons have the expertise to use advanced reconstructive techniques to diminish the appearance of scars, repair any damaged tissue, and achieve excellent cosmetic results.

In addition to Mohs surgery, dermatologic surgery offered at UT Southwestern includes: