Comprehensively Trained Surgeon

On-Site CLIA-accredited Laboratory

Dr. Michael Saruk was the visionary who brought what has become, the standard of care for certain skin cancers -- Mohs Surgery -- to Delaware.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a highly effective technique for the removal of skin cancer. The procedure was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic Mohs at the University of Wisconsin and is now practiced throughout the world. Mohs surgery differs from other skin cancer treatments in that it permits the immediate and complete microscopic examination of the removed cancerous tissue so that all "roots" and extensions of cancer can be eliminated. Due to the methodical manner in which tissue is removed and examined, Mohs surgery has been recognized as the skin cancer treatment with the highest reported cure rate.

Another advantage is that it is tissue-sparing.  This means that because the surgeon is able to see exactly where the cancerous cells are, he or she needs to remove only the cancerous tissue and can stop precisely at the point where healthy tissue begins.  Therefore, the technique is usually reserved for skin cancers that appear on parts of the body where it would be particularly undesirable to remove excess tissue in an effort to "get it all".  These include the face, neck, scalp, hands, and feet.

Mohs Surgery at DVDG

The facilities at DVDG include a specialized, CLIA-accredited Mohs laboratory where the tissue is prepared for histologic examination using frozen sectioning of the specimen. Dr. Saruk is supported in surgery by his Mohs assisting staff and a a highly specialized histologic technician who receives the excised tissue and prepares it to be examined microscopically.

Depending upon the number of "stages" required to completely remove cancer, patients may be in our office for a good part of the day.  For your comfort and convenience, snacks and beverages are always available to our Mohs patients.  Our patient services staff will do their very best to make you as comfortable as they can, while we work to achieve the best possible medical and cosmetic outcome.

Prior to commencing the Mohs surgery procedure, it is impossible to predict precisely how much skin will have to be removed. The final surgical defect could be only slightly larger than the initial skin cancer but occasionally, the removal of the deep "roots" of skin cancer results in a sizeable defect.

After the skin cancer has been removed, the surgical site (the defect) generally needs cosmetic re-construction. Dr. Saruk will discuss your options. In many cases, he will repair the defect himself on the next day following your initial surgery. For more information about Mohs Surgery, please visit this link: http://www.mohssurgery.org and download the Society for Mohs Surgery brochure.