Skin surgery

Our mission is to provide the highest quality care in the diagnosis, and treatment of all types of skin cancer and other dermatological surgery conditions in a pleasant environment

SURGICAL REMOVAL

After first anesthetizing the area with local anesthesia, the doctor uses a scalpel to remove the entire tumor along with the surrounding area with borders of healthy skin for safety reasons. Then the skin around the surgical field is closed with stitches and the tissue that is removed is sent to the laboratory for a histological examination (biopsy), in order to certify that all cancer cells have been removed.

SKIN CANCER

BCC

What is ?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a skin tumor caused by the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells in the basal layer of the skin. These cells are found in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis).

Where is it usually found?

This type of cancer most often develops in areas of the skin that are usually exposed to the sun. These places are, on the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders and back.

What causes it?

Most BCCs are caused by a combination of intermittent, intense exposure and cumulative, long-term exposure to UV radiation from the sun.

Is it very common?

BCC is the most common form of skin cancer, with more than 4 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year.

How serious is it?

BCCs can be locally devastating if not detected and treated early. Occasionally these cancers metastasize (spread). and in very rare cases can be fatal.

SCC

What is ? Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a skin tumor caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells arising from the squamous cells of the epidermis.

Where is it usually found?

SCCs are common in sun-exposed areas such as the ears, face, scalp, neck and hands, where the skin often reveals signs of sun damage, including wrinkles and age spots.

What causes it?

Cumulative, long-term exposure to UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds causes most SCC.

Is it very common?

SCC is the second most common form of skin cancer. More than 1 million cases are diagnosed each year in the US.

How serious is it?

SCCs can sometimes grow quickly and metastasize if not detected and treated early. Up to 15,000 deaths occur from invasive SCC of the skin each year in the US.

MELANOMA

What is ?

Melanoma is a cancer that develops from melanocytes, (the skin cells that produce the pigment melanin, which gives the skin its color).

Where is it usually found?

Melanomas often look like moles (olives). Sometimes they can grow on them. They can be found anywhere on the body, even in areas not normally exposed to the sun.

What causes it?

Melanoma is often caused by the kind of intense, intermittent sun exposure that leads to sunburn. Using a tanning bed also increases your risk for melanoma.

How serious is it?

Melanoma is the most dangerous of the three most common forms of skin cancer. Melanomas can be curable when detected and treated early.