Skin Cancer Surgery

Skin cancer surgery is the physical removal of cancerous or pre-cancerous tissue from the skin. During this procedure, we clear the cancer fully while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. Depending on the size and location of the lesion, your surgeon may use a simple excision or a staged technique called Mohs surgery. Many cases also involve a second step to repair the skin once the cancer is gone.

Patients often come to us looking for help with:

• Suspicious moles or growths that have changed in size or appearance
• Lesions that have already been biopsied and confirmed as skin cancer
• Pre-cancerous spots like actinic keratoses that have not responded to topical treatments
• Recurrent skin cancers in areas that have already been treated
• Cancerous lesions in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas, like the eyelid or nose
• Reconstruction after a previous skin cancer removal left a noticeable defect

There are various types of skin cancer and pre-cancer that can be treated with surgery, which include:

• Actinic Keratosis: A pre-cancer that features pink, tan, or flesh-colored scaly, crusty lesions that usually appear on the face, scalp, lips and the back of hands.
• Atypical Moles: These are benign moles that have an unusual appearance, which increases the risk of a patient developing melanoma.
• Basal Cell Carcinoma: These appear as red or pink open sores that grow from the deepest layer of the skin’s epidermis.
• Melanoma: Cancerous growths that are the most dangerous kind of skin cancer and look similar to moles, but are usually asymmetrical, have uneven borders, can be various colors, larger in diameter and evolve over time.
• Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A rare form of skin cancer that is extremely aggressive and can spread throughout the body.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Red, scaly patches that look like open sores that form in the epidermis. This is the second most common form of skin cancer.

Mild soreness and tightness around the incision are normal in the first week. The timeline will depend on where the lesion was and how much reconstruction is needed. For the first 48 hours, you should focus on keeping the dressing dry. Keep your activity light to allow your body to rest and heal. You will be able to return to desk work within a day or two, and sutures will be removed after a week.

Between weeks two and four, swelling will go down, and the wound will begin to flatten. Over the next two to six months, scars continue to soften and fade. New scars are pink at first and gradually blend with the surrounding skin. You should continue with regular full-body skin checks so any new spots are caught early.

Aftercare Tips

• Follow your wound care instructions exactly. This usually means gentle cleansing with soap and water, followed by an ointment and a fresh bandage.
• Watch for signs of infection. Increasing redness or warmth at the site, drainage or fever are signs that you should call us right away.
• Skip strenuous activity until cleared. Heavy lifting and intense workouts can pull on stitches and widen scars.
• Sleep with the surgical area elevated when possible. This is especially helpful for repairs on the face or scalp.
• Protect the healing skin from the sun. Use a wide-brimmed hat or clothing while the wound is healing, then transition to a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
• Apply scar therapy as directed. Silicone gel or sheets can soften scars when used consistently.
• Keep every follow-up appointment. These visits let your surgeon keep track of your healing and make sure the cancer is fully cleared.