The principles of mohs micrographic surgery for cutaneous neoplasia.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, and although its most common forms are rarely life threatening, the morbidity of this disease is substantial, especially in the southern regions of the United States. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a precise form of microscopically controlled excisional surgery created in the US but currently practiced worldwide and used to treat various cutaneous carcinomas. The history, technique, indications, and recurrence rates of MMS are discussed to allow the practicing physician to understand the specific instances when patients will best benefit from this procedure.