Mohs Surgery
Pronunciation: MOHZ
A microscopically controlled surgical technique for the excision of skin cancer in which successive horizontal tissue layers are removed and examined until clear margins are confirmed.
Full Definition
Mohs micrographic surgery, developed by Frederic E. Mohs in the 1930s, is a specialized surgical procedure for the treatment of high-risk or recurrent cutaneous malignancies, most commonly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The surgeon acts simultaneously as the excising physician and pathologist, processing each layer intraoperatively to achieve complete margin control with maximal tissue conservation. It is indicated for tumours in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas (e.g., face, hands, genitalia). Editors should always capitalise 'Mohs' as an eponym; 'Mohs micrographic surgery' is the preferred full term, with 'Mohs surgery' acceptable on subsequent references.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalise 'Mohs' as an eponymous proper noun. The abbreviation 'MMS' is acceptable in technical publications after first-use definition but should not be used in patient-facing documents without explanation.
In Context
- "Mohs surgery was recommended given the tumour's location on the nasal ala and its infiltrative histological subtype." — Surgical referral letter
- "The procedure section described 'mohs surgery' in lowercase, which the editor corrected to 'Mohs surgery' per eponym capitalisation rules." — Copy-editing annotation