Plastic Surgery
Skin Cancer
Overview
On a yearly basis, Florida consistently ranks as one of the states with the highest incidences of skin cancer. There are many contributing factors to the high rates, including the high levels of UV radiation exposure due to the sunny climate, the outdoor lifestyle, and the aging population with chronic sun damage. While most skin cancers in Florida consist of nonmelanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, Florida has the highest incidence of melanoma in the United States.
Clinical Content
What is Skin Cancer Removal?
Skin cancer removal is the process in which cancerous lesions are removed. Depending on the type of skin cancer you have and the size of your lesion, one of the following methods may be used:
Electrodessication and Curettage
Surgical excision of the skin cancer under local anesthesia, sedation (twilight), or general anesthesia with frozen pathology (immediate results) or permanent pathology (results in 5-10 days).
Mohs micrographic surgery, a method that involves removing thin layers of skin and then testing them for signs of cancer. This process continues until all evidence of cancer is completely gone.
Benefits of Skin Cancer Removal
Surgical excision of most skin cancers remains the gold standard of care. Skin cancer removal prevents lesions from growing bigger or growing into deeper layers of your skin, muscle, or bone. Early removal also reduces the risk of spread to other organs. Removing cancerous lesions often eliminates the need for radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Knowing you have eliminated your cancerous lesion can not only restore your good health but will also help alleviate any anxiety you may experience after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
The Procedure Process
Initial Consultation:
Your surgeon will evaluate the pathology report and the location of the skin cancer. He or she will explain the details of the planned operation including the surgical excision and the reconstructive options for wound closure. The risks, benefits, and alternatives of the procedure will also be discussed.
Day of Surgery:
Depending on multiple factors, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, twilight anesthesia, or general anesthesia.
Immediate Aftercare:
You will be monitored in a recovery area and return home with dressing based on the closure of the surgical wound.
Follow-Up Visits:
Your Board-Certified USF Plastic Surgeon will guide your healing process and carefully monitor your progress with scheduled follow-ups. Post-operative care is an important part of recovery and getting your best result.
Why Choose Us?
Choosing USF means you are in the care of a highly trained expert.
Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Extensive experience and surgical precision
Hospital privileges as a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Commitment to the highest safety and ethical standards
What to Expect
Recovery & Aftercare
Initial downtime ranges from 1-2 weeks, with light activity encouraged as you heal. Most patients return to normal routines within 4-6 weeks. Following your surgeon's instructions is key to optimal healing.
Results
Depending on the closure of the wound, the incisions will start to look "normal" around 3-6 months post-op. The desired outcome is a scar that is difficult to see and minimal contour deformity of the surrounding anatomy.
Risks & Considerations
As with any surgery, skin cancer excision carries some risks, including bleeding, infection, scarring, or recurrence of the skin cancer. Choosing a USF Plastic Surgeon ensures that you are in expert hands, with safety protocols and personalized care to minimize complications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Cancer Excision
-
Our USF Plastic Surgeons do not perform Mohs Surgery, but we work closely with our dermatology colleagues, who perform Mohs surgery. We coordinate care by reconstructing the Mohs defect following the excision. This can either be done on the same day or the following day. If you would like our USF Plastic Surgeon to perform the entire operation, he or she would likely use a pathologist in the operating room, a process called "frozen sections", to determine if the skin cancer has been completely removed.
-
This depends on the size, location, and type of reconstruction of the skin cancer excision. Patients will get back into their normal activities within 4-6 weeks.
-
Yes, you will have a scar. However, a Plastic Surgeon hides scars in natural creases and close wounds to decrease the chances of any contour deformities.
-
Yes, our USF Plastic Surgeons will discuss scar therapies including massage and scar gels. We can also offer CO2 laser therapy for scar maturation approximately 3-6 month following excision.
