Severance Hospital Reaches Milestone in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Pioneering Skin Cancer Treatment in Korea
Severance Hospital’s Dermatology Skin Cancer clinic has surpassed 5,000 cases of Mohs micrographic surgery (often referred to as Mohs surgery), solidifying its position as a leading institution in advanced skin cancer treatment. The clinic first began performing the specialized surgery in July 2000, reaching 1,000 cases in 2013, 3,000 in 2020, and 4,000 in 2022, demonstrating notable growth in its capabilities and patient volume.
The rise in skin cancer cases, attributed to increased leisure activities, lifestyle changes, and a growing elderly population, has driven demand for effective treatments.While traditional methods like wide excision, cryotherapy, and radiation are utilized, Mohs surgery is internationally recognized for its high cure rate and is considered the gold standard.
Unlike standard wide resection, Mohs surgery meticulously removes minimal amounts of affected skin and immediately examines the entire surgical margin under a microscope.This allows surgeons to precisely target and eliminate remaining cancer cells, maximizing the cure rate while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and reducing scarring – particularly crucial in sensitive areas like the face.
Severance Hospital’s Skin Cancer Clinic has expanded the application of Mohs surgery beyond basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas to include rare skin cancers such as skin melanoma and fibrosarcoma protuberance, achieving positive outcomes. Notably, Professor Oh Byeong-ho’s proposed standard of 0.8mm for conservative surgery without amputation for melanoma in the nail has been incorporated into both the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and Japanese skin cancer treatment guidelines.
The clinic fosters a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating closely with departments including pathology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and plastic surgery to enhance diagnostic accuracy and post-operative success. Severance Hospital also actively contributes to global knowledge sharing, conducting annual educational programs for dermatologists from countries including the United States, Thailand, and the Philippines.
“Severance Hospital Skin Cancer Clinic is operating a ‘melanoma rapid treatment program’ that starts treatment within one week after speedy reservation and treatment for patients with melanoma, which has a high fatality rate,” stated professor Oh Byeong-ho. He further emphasized the clinic’s commitment to achieving both curative results and optimal functional and cosmetic outcomes for patients.
Professor Oh Byeong-ho is the only dermatologist in Korea accredited by the american College of Mohs Surgery, and performs over 600 skin cancer surgeries annually, leading the advancement of skin cancer surgical standards in Korea.
