dermatologist on a skin cancer surgery consultation with a patient from Englewood Cliffs

Skin Cancer Surgery

Surgical treatment is the most effective method to remove skin cancer and prevent cancer cells from spreading. A comprehensive skin cancer screening is always necessary to determine the appropriate type of surgical treatment for each patient.

There are many treatments for skin cancer. Options for treatment depend on many factors including:

  • Type of skin cancer
  • Where the skin cancer appears on the body
  • Whether the skin cancer is aggressive
  • Stage of the cancer (how deeply the skin cancer has grown and whether it has spread)
  • Patient’s health

After considering the above, we will proceed with the best option for our patients. We do perform the removal of many skin cancers in the office but do refer patients out of the office who require Mohs surgery or more extensive large excisions. especially on the face.

Types of Skin Cancer Surgery

When treating skin cancer, the goal is to remove all of the cancer. When the cancer has not spread, this is often possible. To remove skin cancer, the following surgical treatment may be used:

 

  • Excision: To perform this, the dermatologist numbs the skin and then surgically cuts out the skin cancer and a small amount of normal-looking skin. This normal-looking skin is called a margin. There are different types of excision. Most excisions can be performed in a dermatologist’s office.

 

  • Mohs Surgery: A dermatologist who has completed additional medical training in Mohs surgery performs this procedure. Once a dermatologist completes this training, the dermatologist is called a Mohs surgeon. 

Mohs surgery begins with the surgeon removing the visible part of the skin cancer. Because cancer cells are not visible to the naked eye, the surgeon also removes some skin that looks normal but may contain cancer cells.

This part of the surgery is performed one layer at a time. After removing a layer of skin, it is prepared so that the surgeon can examine it under a microscope and look for cancer cells. 

If the surgeon sees cancer cells, the surgeon removes another layer of skin. This layer-by-layer approach continues until the surgeon no longer finds cancer cells. In most cases, Mohs surgery can be completed within a day or less. The cure rate for skin cancer is high when Mohs surgery is used.

 

  • Curettage and Electrodesiccation: This surgical procedure may be used to treat small basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. 

It involves scraping the tumor with a curette (a surgical instrument shaped like a long spoon) and then using an electric needle to gently cauterize (burn) the remaining cancer cells and some normal-looking tissue. This scraping and cauterizing process is typically repeated 3 times. The wound tends to heal without stitches. 

Sometimes, curettage is used alone.
patient receiving a skin cancer surgery consultation at Scherl Dermatology

Nonsurgical Skin Cancer Treatments

doctor and patient discussing non surgical skin cancer treatments

Scientists have identified specific factors that increase a person’s risk for getting skin cancer:

  • Fair skin, especially combined with blond or red hair and blue, green, or gray eyes
  • A history of bad sunburns, especially blistering sunburn
  • Skin that burns or freckles rather than tans
  • Multiple moles (50 or more) or moles diagnosed as atypical nevi or dysplastic nevi
  • Family history of skin cancer, particularly when the diagnosed family member is a parent, sibling, or child
  • Personal history of skin cancer or actinic keratoses (AKs)

LEARN MORE AT YOUR CONSULTATION IN ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ TODAY

Skin cancer surgery is highly effective when performed by an experienced board-certified dermatologist. To learn more about the different procedures Scherl Dermatology offers, contact our office today and schedule your consultation.

OTHER Medical DERMATOLOGY

Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for certain types of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and around the world. While dangerous, skin cancer is treatable with early detection.

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Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that involves two steps: the use of a light-sensitive drug and the application of a light source to destroy abnormal cells.

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Phototherapy

The narrowband phototherapy lightbox is Scherl Dermatology’s latest innovative treatment. Carefully controlled, it is an extremely effective tool for treating inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. 

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Barnacles

Barnacles are a very common benign growth. See your dermatologist if you are concerned, because skin cancer can sometimes look similar to a seborrheic keratosis to an untrained eye.

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Moles

It is usually quite easy to remove moles surgically. Usually there is a trade involved – removing the mole in exchange for a small scar. If the mole is large and the scar will be less noticeable, then it is a good trade.

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Rosacea

Many people suffer from rosacea. It is not contagious, but there is some evidence to suggest that it is inherited. There is no known cause or cure for rosacea. 

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Rash

“Rash” is a general term for a wide variety of skin conditions. A rash refers to a change that affects the skin and may appear as a red patch, small bumps or blisters on the skin. 

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Warts

Warts (Verrucae) are common growths that are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). These can commonly involve the fingers, hands, feet, while certain strains can cause genital warts.

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Skin Growths

REMEMBER you may have multiple types of bumps and bumps and some that may not be listed here:

  • Small, hard, white bumps (milia)
  • Enlarged oil glands (sebaceous hyperplasia)

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Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by itchy or sore patches of various sizes. Often theses patches of skin have, silvery scales.

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Thousands of People in the Metro Area Trust Scherl Dermatology

CONTACT US

Scherl Dermatology

140 Sylvan Ave. Suite 302,

Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Same-Day Appointments Now Available

Phone: 201.568.8400  | Fax: 201.568.8554

CONTACT US

Scherl Dermatology

140 Sylvan Ave. Suite 302,

Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Same-Day Appointments Now Available

Scherl Dermatology

©2024 Schweiger Dermatology Group. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | The information available on this website is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace a medical consultation where a physician's judgment may advise you about specific disorders, conditions and or treatment options. We hope the information will be useful for you to become more educated about your healthcare decisions. If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact us at 201.568.8400 .