Cancer surgeon Mohs dies at 93

Frederic E. Mohs, a researcher who developed a surgical technique for skin cancer that bears his name, died July 1 at age 93.

In the 1930s, Mohs pioneered a form of surgery that helped rid patients of external tumors such as lip and skin cancers. The technique, known as Mohs Micrographic Surgery, relied on extremely precise dissections of tumors instead of the gross removal of tumor masses.

The Mohs method involves removing skin cancer and using a microscope to map tumor margins. Successive layers are removed as needed until all margins are free of cancer. Mohs’ method, still in widespread use, has treated thousands of patients’ cancers while sparing undamaged tissue.

Mohs was born in Burlington. His father died when he was 3 months old, and the family moved to Madison. He is survived by two sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Frederic Mohs Jr. is a member of the UW System Board of Regents.

A family memorial is scheduled Wednesday, July 3.