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Dermatology Surgery

Dermatology Surgery

Skin Cancer Surgery

Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery specializes in the diagnosis and surgical removal of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Our board-certified, dermatology-specialized surgeons emphasize the use of Mohs micrographic surgery, a skin cancer surgery that spares as much healthy tissue as possible, as well as excision surgery for large skin tumors.

Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the United States, affecting one in five Americans in their lifetime. Most skin cancer results from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. In Florida, diagnoses for melanoma skin cancer, which can be fatal, exceed the national average, while treatments for non-melanoma skin cancer increased nearly 80 percent between 1994 and 2014.

Skin cancer incidence rates also increase with age because sun damage is cumulative, although the risks can be brought on early by by not using sunscreen and using indoor tanning beds frequently.

Early detection of skin cancer results in the best options for treatment. Signs that you may be at a higher risk of developing skin cancer include family history, frequent sun/tanning exposure, or actinic keratosis (AK) growths, which are precancerous, scaly growths that appear around the face, scalp, ears, and hands. Signs of active nonmelanoma skin cancer can also include red nodules, moles with swollen borders, or sores that won't heal.

If you are exhibiting signs or symptoms of skin cancer, make a dermatology appointment right away. Those who are at a high risk of developing skin cancer should also schedule regular check-up appointments to catch any suspicious growths before they become problematic. At Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery, our cancer experts can diagnose any type of skin cancer as well as perform skin cancer removal surgery.

Types Of Skin Cancer Removal Surgery

Our skin surgery center offers surgical procedures for three main types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Our experienced cancer specialists can diagnose your skin’s condition in one visit and recommend the most effective treatment, whether it is Mohs surgery, excision, or a non-surgical remedy.

Mohs Surgery

Surgeons at Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery have specialized training in Mohs microscopic surgery, an outpatient procedure that effectively treats most types of nonmelanoma skin cancer. In some situations, Mohs surgery can also treat melanoma skin cancer. Since it was introduced by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs in the 1930s, Mohs microscopic surgery has become the most advanced treatment for most types of skin cancer.

The procedure targets skin tumors precisely, allowing surgeons to remove cancerous growths but leave healthy tissue intact. Mohs surgery can be performed anywhere on the body, and common places include the nose, forehead, scalp, ear, and other areas that receive direct sunlight.

What You Should Expect During Mohs Surgery

During Mohs surgery at Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery, the surgeon marks the visible area of skin cancer and injects a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine and epinephrine. The doctor then cuts out the skin cancer in a circle and stops any bleeding of the wound. The area is bandaged, and you are allowed to relax in the reception area while the tissue is processed in our lab. The doctor uses a microscope to examine the removed tissue to see whether any areas have cancer remaining.

This stage lasts between 45 minutes and 90 minutes. If there are areas of cancer left, the surgeon removes more microscopic layers of tissue, one by one, and examines them methodically for cancer until only clear margins of healthy tissue exist. The wound, now cancer-free, is stitched closed or left open to heal naturally. If the wound is large, a skin graft may be used. The process could take several hours. Afterward, the surgeons will provide suggestions for Mohs surgery aftercare, such as how to be aware of signs of infection.

Out of all skin cancer treatments, Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate (99 percent for untreated skin cancer; 94 percent for recurring episodes). Other benefits of Mohs surgery are that it leaves healthy tissue intact, which leads to shorter recovery times and less visible scarring. The procedure can also be completed in a single visit, and lab work is done on-site. The average cost of a Mohs procedure is also affordable, and the treatment is covered by most insurance plans.

Excision Surgery

Excision is a skin cancer surgery that targets the malignant growth as well as some of the surrounding healthy tissue. The margins of healthy tissue are taken as a precaution in case any cancer cells spread beyond the melanoma tumor.

Our skin surgeons use wide excisions for melanoma skin cancer that Mohs surgery cannot address. Patients with metastasizing melanoma may also require non-dermatological cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation. In practice, excision surgery is similar to a biopsy to check for skin cancer; the only difference is that the margins during an excision are wider.

The surgeon draws an elliptical border around the cancerous growth to guide the incision. This shape lets the surgeon remove more skin than a circle while producing a less visible scar. The surgeon makes precise incisions around the lesion and examines the excised tissue. If cancer is present, slightly wider margins are drawn, and subsequent incisions are made until only clean tissue remains.

Fellowship Trained Skin Surgeons In Gainesville

Did you know Mohs surgery can legally be performed by any dermatologist, no matter if they have had specialized training or not? At Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery, all of our skin cancer surgeons are fellowship-trained with vast experience and advanced knowledge of surgical procedures. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for skin surgery in Gainesville, FL.

FAQs About Skin Surgery

How Do I Know Which Type of Skin Cancer Surgery I Need?

The type of skin cancer surgery you need will depend on the type and size of your skin cancer. Mohs surgery is traditionally used for more aggressive cancers located on sensitive areas of the face, hands, or feet, while excision surgery is typically reserved for smaller growths on the back, legs, chest, or arms.

To know which type of surgery is best for you, schedule a consultation with one of our certified dermatologists today.

Will Skin Cancer Surgery Leave a Scar?

Not necessarily. While our skilled skin surgeons utilize special techniques to minimize scarring, especially on small excisions, scarring is always a possibility. If you are concerned about scars, we offer a wide variety of scar treatments for after your cancer is removed.

Does Insurance Cover Skin Cancer Surgery?

Most insurance plans will cover skin cancer surgery. For more information about pricing and insurance, reach out to our dermatology office directly.

Is Mohs Surgery Painful?

No. We use local anesthetics to numb the affected areas so that patients feel minimal pain during the procedure.

Will I Need a Biopsy Before Skin Cancer Surgery?

Usually, yes. Our skin surgeons need to identify and verify the type of cancer before they remove it to ensure that the best treatment option is pursued.

Will I Need Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy After Skin Surgery?

Typically, our patients do not need chemotherapy or radiation therapy after receiving skin cancer surgery. Our procedures are designed to eliminate localized skin cancers in their entirety, and additional treatments are usually not needed unless there is evidence of aggressive spread.

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