Skin Cancer - Excision and Reconstruction

The causes of skin cancer, like other forms of cancer, are not completely known.  Excessive exposure to sunlight is the single most important factor associated with the development of these skin cancers, which appear commonly on the face and on the arms (the most sun-exposed parts of the body).

The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.  If not completely removed, both types will frequently invade and destroy structures in their paths of growth.  Compared to other forms of cancer, these types of skin cancer are generally recognized in their early stages and are therefore easily cured.

Utilizing a highly specialized procedure for the total removal of skin cancers, there are three separate steps to reconstruction:

• Surgical removal (or excision) of the tissue.
  
• Immediate examination of this excised tissue under the microscope to determine if the entire carcinoma has been removed.  Using microscopic examination the surgeon, with input from a pathologist, can pinpoint areas involving cancer and selectively remove tissues only from those areas.  In this way, the skin cancer is traced out to its roots.  This results in the removal of as little normal tissue as possible and the highest chance of complete excision and cure.
  
• Closure of the wound following the excision.  Using either a simple or more complex method of repairing the tissue, the area is closed.  A dressing is then applied to the area, with careful instructions on how to care for and clean the wound.  Sutures are usually removed in 7 to 10 days.  Once the wound has healed, regular follow-up visits to your dermatologist are recommended.