When the DNA within skin cells becomes damaged, it can cause skin cells to grow out of control and lead to skin cancer.
Skin cancer can present in a number of different ways and often requires removal to preserve the health and appearance of your skin.
Continue reading to learn all about skin cancer removal, including how the procedure is performed and what patients can expect from treatment.
What Is Skin Cancer Removal?
Skin cancer removal is a specialized technique that is used to excise cancerous lesions and all cancerous cells.
Our American Board of Plastic Surgery certified reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Aryeh Herrera, will assess the size of the growth, type of cancer you’ve been diagnosed with, the location of the lesion, and your individual concerns and goals prior to recommending the most appropriate course of action.
What Is the Procedure for Skin Cancer Removal?
Skin cancer removal is a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure that may be performed in your surgeon’s office, a surgical facility, or a hospital.
While the procedure may vary from one patient to the next, it typically involves these 3 steps.
1. Anesthesia
Once the treatment area has been sterilized and marked, anesthesia will be administered to numb the skin and maintain patient comfort throughout the procedure.
Your surgeon will recommend if local anesthesia, local anesthesia with IV sedation, or general anesthesia is best-suited to your specific case.
2. Removal
Cancerous lesions that are small and contained can typically be removed with a simple excision.
Often times, cancerous cells are present beneath the growth and don’t have defined borders.
When this happens, frozen sections of tissue are removed and examined to better define borders and ensure all cancerous cells are removed.
Mohs micrographic surgery is another specialized skin cancer removal technique to consider. It removes ultra-thin layers of tissue and examines them under a microscope. If clear margins are observed, the procedure ends. However, if cancerous cells are still present, the process is repeated until all malignancy is eliminated.
3. Reconstruction
Local flap (adjacent tissue rearrangement) is often used following removal of a lesion that is especially large, is being removed with frozen sections, or is likely to result in disfigurement. This approach repositions adjacent tissue over the wound.
Your surgeon may also elect to use a skin graft for the purpose of reconstruction.
Learn More About Skin Cancer Removal
Herrera Reconstructive Surgery is dedicated to providing comprehensive, innovative care to patients with all types of skin cancer.
Our approach is to comprehensibly address each person’s needs with the support and input of their health care providers, while enlisting the services of supporting specialists as needed to give each patient access to cutting-edge treatment options.
Our mission is to provide high-quality, cost effective, empathetic care for each of our patients and their families.
If you would like additional information about skin cancer treatment and removal, please call our office today to schedule a comprehensive consultation with one of our highly skilled and talented providers.