Skin cancer can be a scary diagnosis. Patients who have been told by
their dermatologist that cancerous skin cells have been found on their
body or face may feel unsure as to how to proceed with their care.
Patients in the Bay Area may be concerned that the removal will cause
disfigurement. Thankfully, patients can choose from many methods of
removal and can work with the team of The Skin and Laser Treatment
Institute to determine which treatment is most appropriate.
The methods of removing cancerous skin cells vary and a number of treatments and techniques are available including:
Excision
Using a scalpel, Dr. Christine Lee can remove the entire growth that has formed along with a safe margin of surrounding skin to ensure all areas or addressed. The surgical site is closed with stitches and approximately 92% of patients who undergo this method of removal are cured.
Electrosurgery
With electrosurgery, the skin cancer growth is removed with a curette and heat produced by electricity is used to destroy the rest of the tumor and control bleeding. This is often done several times to ensure the deeper layers of the skin are addressed. This type of removal is often avoided on areas of the face and body that are exposed.
Cryosurgery
Instead of heating the area, another method of removal is cryosurgery, during which the skin cancer growth is frozen with liquid nitrogen. This comfortable procedure does not require any anesthetics and it can be completed without any cutting or bleeding. Patients may enjoy a cure rate of 95% or higher over the course of five years after cryosurgery has been completed.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
The most commonly recommended technique for removing cancerous skin cells is Mohs micrographic surgery. This method removes skin layer by layer while analyzing for cancerous cells. This keeps as much remaining healthy skin as possible while removing even deeper areas of skin cancer. This has an approximate cure rate of about 97%.