Mohs micrographic surgery (also known as Mohs chemosurgery) is a state-of-the-art treatment for skin cancer in which the diseased area is removed with the accuracy and precision of a microscope. Of all techniques to remove skin cancer, Mohs micrographic surgery has the highest cure rate and minimizes the extent of scarring. Mohs surgery is a one day, outpatient treatment which is generally reserved for use only with certain skin cancers. Those that are large, have recurred following conventional treatment, or those found in certain anatomic locations such as the central face are very effectively treated with this technique. Mohs surgery is utilized most often for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and lentigo maligna (an early form of melanoma usually occurring on the face). However, the Mohs technique is also useful for other, less common forms of skin cancer, including sebaceous carcinoma, merkel cell carcinoma, atypical fibroxanthoma, microcystic adnexal carcinoma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Our Mohs unit and laboratory are directed by Mark A. Chastain, M.D. Dr. Chastain graduated from Emory University, and received his medical degree from Tulane University, and then remained at Tulane for his internship and Dermatology residency. He received specialized training in Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstructive surgery by completing an accredited Mohs fellowship at the University of Alabama Birmingham. Dr. Chastain then returned to Tulane where he was assistant professor of Dermatology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and director of the Mohs unit. Dr. Chastain then moved back to his home state of Georgia and into private practice. He still holds a faculty position at Tulane. He is also a clinical assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine and is active in their teaching program. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology.
