If a biopsy shows basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, your dermatologist may recommend Mohs surgery. You may also learn that a different doctor will perform it. That is common: your dermatologist may have Mohs training or may refer you to a colleague who does.<\/p>\n
So how do you know the surgeon is qualified? Here is what the credentials mean and how to check them yourself in a few minutes.<\/p>\n
Mohs surgery removes skin cancer one thin layer at a time. After numbing the area, the surgeon removes the visible tumor and a thin layer of surrounding skin. That tissue is checked under a microscope while you wait. If cancer cells remain at an edge, the surgeon removes another thin layer from just that spot and repeats the process until no cancer cells are seen.<\/p>\n
Because only skin with cancer cells is removed, Mohs saves as much healthy skin as possible. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says Mohs has the highest cure rate of all treatments for skin cancer, and also that it is not the right treatment for everyone or for every skin cancer.<\/p>\n
Mohs is used mainly for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, especially ones that are large or aggressive, have come back after treatment, or sit where there is little tissue to spare. It is also used for some rare skin cancers, and for certain early melanomas with a slower, modified version of the technique.<\/p>\n
Board certification is not required to perform Mohs surgery. The title on a website tells you little about the training behind it, so check these three credentials.<\/p>\n
Most Mohs surgeons are dermatologists who have completed extensive training in Mohs surgery. Start by confirming that the surgeon is board certified in dermatology.<\/p>\n
“Fellowship-trained” means the surgeon completed extra, supervised training in Mohs surgery after dermatology residency. These fellowships last one to two years and are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS), or the Australasian College of Dermatologists. The ACGME-accredited version is called a Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) fellowship.<\/p>\n
The training is hands-on. Each fellow is paired with a veteran ACMS surgeon, learns to read the tissue slides, and performs a wide range of wound repairs. Under current ACMS rules, a fellow must complete at least 650 Mohs cases, including at least 50 complex cases.<\/p>\n
The ACMS offers a tool to find a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon<\/a>.<\/p>\n The ABD also certifies dermatologists in a Mohs subspecialty called Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery (MDS). To take the MDS exam, a dermatologist must already hold ABD certification in dermatology. Experienced Mohs surgeons could qualify through a practice pathway until 2025. Starting with the 2026 exam, every candidate must complete an ACGME-accredited MSDO fellowship.<\/p>\n For DOs, the AOBD offers a similar subspecialty certification in Mohs Micrographic Surgery.<\/p>\n Treat MDS certification as an added credential. Board certification in dermatology and fellowship training are the core ones to check.<\/p>\n Browse Top Dermatology by state and city<\/a> to compare dermatology providers near you. Where a profile lists Board Certifications and Specialties, use them as a starting point, then confirm board certification with the ABD’s search tool.<\/p>\n Learn more about Mohs surgery<\/a>, skin cancer<\/a> and the types of skin cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n Is a Mohs surgeon a dermatologist?<\/strong> Usually. Most Mohs surgeons are dermatologists who have completed extensive training in Mohs surgery.<\/p>\n What does “fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon” mean?<\/strong> The surgeon completed a one- to two-year supervised fellowship in Mohs surgery after dermatology residency, accredited by the ACGME, the ACMS or the Australasian College of Dermatologists.<\/p>\n Can a DO be a Mohs surgeon?<\/strong> Yes. A DO who holds ABD certification in dermatology can sit for the ABD’s MDS exam after an ACGME-accredited MSDO fellowship. The AOBD also offers its own subspecialty certification in Mohs Micrographic Surgery.<\/p>\n Is Mohs surgery used for melanoma?<\/strong> Only in limited cases. The AAD says Mohs is used for some early melanomas, with a slower, modified version of the technique. Most patients return the next day.<\/p>\n What “fellowship-trained” and “board-certified in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery” mean, how to check a Mohs surgeon’s credentials, and what to ask.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-skin-cancer"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t3. Board certification in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery<\/h3>\n
Questions to ask before your Mohs surgery<\/h2>\n
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Find a dermatologist near you<\/h2>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Sources<\/h2>\n
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