Your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to remove skin cancer when it fits your condition. This advice often comes after careful assessment of your specific case. Many patients feel surprised or concerned when they first hear about surgical options.
Your medical team considers many factors before suggesting surgery. They look at the type of cancer you have, the size and location of the growth, and your overall health status. Knowing why surgery might be needed can help ease your concerns. Here is more on this topic.
The Type of Skin Cancer Influences Treatment Decisions
Different types of skin cancer require different approaches. Your doctor bases surgical endorsement on the specific type you have.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly, but it can damage the tissue around it if it is left alone. Doctors often recommend surgery because it has a very high cure rate for this type of skin cancer. Simple excision works well for most basal cell carcinomas.
Some factors that make surgery a better choice are if the cancer:
- Has a high risk of recurrence
- Is very large
- Extends deep into your skin
- Is on your face
Complete removal prevents cancer from returning and causing further damage.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This type can spread to other parts of your body if left untreated. Surgery offers the best chance of complete removal. Your doctor may recommend a wide local excision to ensure all cancer cells are gone.
This type of surgery removes the tumor plus a margin of healthy tissue around it. The extra tissue removal helps prevent cancer from coming back.
Melanoma
Melanoma requires prompt surgery because it can spread quickly. Your doctor will recommend surgery even for thin melanomas. Early treatment for melanoma skin cancer provides the best outcomes for patients.
The thickness of your melanoma determines how much tissue the surgeon removes. Thicker ones will need your surgeon to remove tissue from a wider area to ensure a complete removal.
Location and Size Matter for Treatment Planning
The location of your skin cancer plays a major role in treatment decisions. Some areas of your body heal better after surgery than others.
Facial Skin Cancers
Skin cancers on your face often require specialized surgical techniques. Your doctor may recommend Mohs surgery for facial cancers.
So, what is Mohs surgery? This technique removes cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Mohs surgery provides excellent cosmetic results for facial skin cancers. The procedure also offers the highest cure rates for cancers in difficult locations.
Large or Deep Cancers
Large skin cancers usually require surgical removal. Other treatments may not go deeply enough to get rid of all cancer cells. Surgery ensures the complete removal of the entire tumor.
Deep skin cancers pose similar challenges. They may extend into fat or muscle tissue beneath your skin. Surgery allows your doctor to remove all affected tissue layers.
Previous Treatment Failures Lead to Surgical Options
Your doctor may recommend surgery if other treatments have failed. Non-surgical treatments do not always get rid of all cancer cells.
When Topical Treatments Fail
Topical creams work well for some superficial skin cancers. However, they cannot reach deeper cancer cells effectively. Surgery becomes necessary when topical treatments prove insufficient.
Your doctor can determine treatment success through follow-up exams. Persistent or recurring cancer requires more aggressive treatment approaches.
Radiation Therapy Limitations
Radiation therapy works for some skin cancers. However, it has limitations. It may not be suitable for certain locations on your body. Young patients often benefit more from surgical removal than radiation.
Surgery provides immediate results that you and your doctor can see. This helps ensure complete cancer removal.
Your Overall Health Affects Treatment Options
Your general health status influences whether surgery is the best option for you. Most people can safely undergo skin cancer surgery.
Good Surgical Candidates
Healthy patients typically heal well after skin cancer surgery. Your doctor considers your age, medications, and other health conditions.
Most people experience minimal problems from these procedures.
Local anesthesia makes skin cancer surgery comfortable for most patients. You remain awake during the procedure but feel no pain in the treatment area.
Special Considerations
Some health conditions require extra planning before surgery. Blood-thinning medications may need temporary adjustment. Your doctor coordinates with other specialists when necessary.
Diabetes or other conditions may affect healing time. Your surgical team takes these factors into account when planning your procedure.
Surgical Options Provide the Highest Cure Rates
Surgery offers the best long-term outcomes for most skin cancers. Cure rates exceed 95% for many types of skin cancer when surgery is performed correctly.
Complete Cancer Removal
Surgery allows your doctor to examine all the removed tissue under a microscope. This exam confirms complete cancer removal. Other treatments cannot provide this level of certainty.
Pathologists examine surgical specimens to ensure clear margins. Clear margins mean no cancer cells remain at the edges of the removed tissue.
Long-Term Success
Surgical treatment provides lasting results for most patients. Recurrence rates are lower with surgery than with other treatment methods. This success gives patients peace of mind about their long-term health.
Follow-up care after surgery helps detect any new skin cancers early. Regular skin exams remain important even after successful treatment.
Surgical Procedure to Remove Skin Cancer in Coral Gables, FL
A surgical procedure to remove skin cancer requires specialized expertise and careful planning. Your doctor recommends surgery because it offers the best chance for a complete cure. Modern techniques, like Mohs surgery, provide great results with minimal scarring. The decision to proceed with surgery represents an important step toward getting rid of cancer.
Do not delay treatment when your doctor recommends skin cancer surgery. Early intervention provides the best outcomes and prevents cancer spread. Trust the expertise of Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center’s Dr. T.J. Giuffrida for your skin cancer treatment needs. Call us today at (305) 461-2000 or use our appointment request form to schedule your consultation.
We look forward to serving you!
