SKIN CANCER SURGERY

Excisional Surgery

skin cancer surgery

SKIN CANCER SURGERY

There are several effective methods for eliminating basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The choice of treatment is based on the type, size, location and depth of the tumor as well as the patient’s age and overall health. Treatment is almost always performed as an outpatient surgery in the physician’s office or clinic. Local anesthetic is used to make pain or discomfort minimal.

The best treatment for melanoma depends on the size and stage of the cancer, as well as your overall health. Treatment for early stage melanoma is to remove the cancer. The standard method of doing this is by excisional surgery (cutting it out). Dr. Storck will remove the cancer as well as a border of normal skin and a layer of tissue beneath the skin.

If the melanoma has spread beyond the skin, treatment options may include:

  • Surgery to sample the lymph nodes to see if the melanoma has spread. This is only done if the melanoma reaches a certain depth in the skin.

  • Chemotherapy is a drug that wipes out cancer cells. This can be given to you intravenously, in pill form or both.

  • Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells. It is sometimes used to help relieve symptoms of melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body.

The first signs can appear in one or more atypical moles. It is extremely important to get to know your skin and recognize any changes in the moles on your body. Individuals should check their moles on a monthly basis for any changes. Use mirrors to check your face, neck, ears and scalp. Examine your chest and trunk, tops and undersides of your arms and hands, fronts and backs of legs and feet.

Dr. Storck recommends taking a picture of your moles to keep track of any changes overtime. If a particular mole displays one or more of these signs or changes, you should consult Dr. Storck for evaluation.