An Informative Guide to Skin Cancer Surgery Options
If you’re concerned that you might have skin cancer you’re not alone. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.
Whether or not you’re currently suffering from it, you might be curious about skin cancer surgery. Dealing with cancer can be frustrating and overwhelming, and you might feel as if there’s no way out.
The good news is that you have options when it comes to treatment for skin cancer. Read this guide on the different skin cancer surgeries that exist today.
Cryosurgery
You’ll want to find a skin cancer doctor who specializes in this surgery. Cryosurgery is where they spray liquid nitrogen onto the skin to destroy and freeze tissue.
This skin cancer removal is ideal for those who have it in one location. It’s also a less invasive option than the other methods. Healing after skin cancer surgery for this procedure is minimal bleeding and pain.
Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery
Mohs Micrographic Surgery can treat some skin cancers. This is where microscopic examination of the cancerous tissues occurs instead of surgery.
It does take more time than other procedures though. Your doctor will remove 1 layer of skin at a time until the cancer is gone from the area. Those who support this surgery state that it helps to preserve normal skin.
Electrocautery
Out of the various types of skin cancer surgery, your doctor might recommend this type that cuts away cancer. An electric needle is used to destroy any cancer cells in the surrounding tissue. This isn’t a common method of surgery.
Wide Local Excision
This surgery removes a large part of healthy skin and tissue. You might have this surgery if your doctor believes that there are still skin cancer cells in the tissue.
When they remove a wider area, it reduces the risk of cancer coming back. You could receive this procedure with a local anesthetic or while you’re awake. How much they remove will depend on how much tissue was taken away initially, where it’s located, and the type and size of cancer.
In order to repair this, you might need a skin flap or graft. This is due to the doctor removing a large area of skin.
As it heals, it might feel tight in the beginning. Over time, the tightness and stretching should ease up.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery is where you have an intense, narrow beam of light that’ll destroy cancer cells. It’s used for superficial skin cancers.
Understanding The Different Skin Cancer Surgery Options
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of what the different skin cancer surgery options are. Take your time speaking with your doctor to see which option is right for you.
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