Skin cancer is a serious medical condition that can cause issues down the line. However, it can be treatable depending on the exact conditions of the cancer and the patient. Several surgeries available can fight skin cancer. We’ll cover the common ones in this article.
Surgical Excision
An excision is perhaps the most common method to get rid of cancerous skin cells. This surgery removes malignant parts of the skin, such as moles, lesions, and tumors, along with the area around the malignant part for safety. This can work wonderfully for basal, melanomas, and squamous cell carcinomas.
Electrodesiccation and Curettage
This surgery uses two different procedures to thoroughly remove cancerous cells. The surgeon will remove the tumor with a long and thin tool using scraping motions. Once the tumor is gone, the doctor will use an electrode to shock the area and kill any remaining cancer cells.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is a very powerful option when it comes to basal and squamous cell carcinomas. There’s a lot to know when it comes to understanding Mohs surgery, but it works in stages. The doctor removes one layer of tissue at a time, testing for the presence of cancer with each layer. They repeat the procedure until they no cancer remains, sparing as much healthy skin as possible.
Skin Grafting
This isn’t a treatment for skin cancer but rather a reconstruction technique surgeons will use to cover an area of skin they removed. Sometimes, these surgeries can leave noticeable marks, and a skin graft can cover up these marks if the patient wants. In most cases, the skin comes from another, less obvious place on the body.
Skin tumors are serious, but they’re not a death sentence. These medical surgeries for skin cancer help countless patients, and other options are available if these aren’t the right call. That’s why learning about all options is important so patients know what works best for their situation.
