Once diagnosed with skin cancer, individuals living in Orange County should contact a skin cancer specialist as soon as possible to discuss options for treating and removing the lesion. The specific removal and reconstruction techniques vary based on the location, size, and type of lesion; however, there are certain steps involved in almost every skin cancer removal surgery.
Anesthesia:
Regardless of the type of surgery, patients are given some form of anesthesia or sedation before the procedure to minimize pain and help them relax. The dermatological surgeon will recommend the most appropriate type of anesthesia based on the type of procedure to be performed. The most common options include intravenous sedation, a local anesthetic, or general anesthesia.
Lesion Removal:
If the lesion is small, localized, and well defined, a simple excision followed by closure may be sufficient to remove all of the cancerous tissue. In the case of larger lesions or lesions with poorly defined borders, skin cancer surgeon Dr. Tony Nakhla, will typically send sections of the tissue to a pathologist to determine if the margins of the sample are free of cancer cells until the procedure is repeated until there is a sample with clean margins.
An alternative technique, called Mohs surgery allows the doctor to remove thin sections of cancerous tissue, which are then frozen and examined during the procedure to determine if the margins are clear of cancer cells. If the margins are not clear, the surgeon continues to remove thin sections of tissue until the entire sample has a clear margin. The Mohs technique has the advantage of preserving as much healthy tissue as possible and limiting the need for repeat surgeries.
Reconstruction:
Depending on the size of the lesion, the location, and the type of procedure used, reconstruction may be necessary to limit any scarring and disfigurement. One method is to reposition a small flap of healthy skin over the wound and securing it with sutures hidden in the natural curves and creases of the face. If the wound is particularly large, the surgeon may graft a small section of skin from elsewhere on the body over the wound.
Surgery Risks:
As with any surgery, skin cancer removal poses some risks, including excessive bleeding, post-surgical infection, and recurrence or spread of the cancer.
Dr. Nakhla provides skin cancer treatment services to those living in OC and surrounding areas with offices located in Santa Ana and San Clemente. Call today to arrange for a consultation.