Skin cancer refers to the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of skin cells. The most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. A rarer but more dangerous skin cancer is melanoma, the leading cause of death from skin disease. Risk factors for developing skin cancer include fair skin, family history of melanoma, being over 40 years old, and regular sun exposure. Skin cancers vary in shape, color, size and texture, so any new, changed or otherwise suspicious growths should be examined immediately by a physician. Early intervention is essential to preventing the cancer from spreading.

Mohs surgery is the most precise way to remove skin cancers that are in either difficult locations or have poorly defined borders. Dr. Frederic Mohs invented the procedure approximately 50 years ago. He discovered that if he removed a skin cancer and drew a precise map, that the skin cancer could be tracked out more easily. This process was originally carried out with a fixative paste. In the 1970’s the process was refined with the use of frozen sections. This modification dramatically speeds up the whole procedure.