What to Expect During Skin Cancer Surgery

Understanding What Happens During Skin Cancer Surgery

If you have been told that you have skin cancer, you are likely understandably scared. But please understand that skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, particularly when caught early and treated with skin cancer surgery as early as possible.

Advances in modern medical technology and state-of-the-art surgical techniques have made it possible to remove cancer cells effectively and completely, while preserving the health and appearance of the skin.

Top Detroit area skin cancer surgeon Dr. Ali has successfully performed several hundred skin cancer removal and reconstruction surgeries, enabling his patients to live long and cancer-free lives – without surgical disfigurement. In this article, Detroit area board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali explains what to expect during your skin cancer surgery.

Where Skin Cancer Surgery is Performed

Minor skin cancer removals can sometimes be performed in a doctor’s office, particularly for small and less aggressive cancers. However, top Detroit area plastic surgeon Dr. Ali performs more extensive skin cancer surgery in a hospital. This allows for immediate biopsy and pathological examination of the excised tissue, ensuring that all cancer cells have been successfully removed before the wound is sutured closed. Immediate access to lab results helps the surgeon make informed decisions during the skin cancer surgery and helps reduce or eliminate the likelihood of recurrence or the need for additional surgeries.

How Skin Cancer Surgery is Performed

Before skin cancer surgery the patient will be given the appropriate amount of anesthetic and/or local or general anesthesia to ensure that they are completely relaxed and that they don’t feel a thing during the surgical skin cancer removal. The choice of anesthesia depends on the size, location, and extent of the skin cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health and preferences.

Skin cancer surgery involves the removal of cancerous tissue along with a margin (border) of healthy surrounding tissue to ensure all cancer cells are excised (cut out). The specific surgical techniques used will depend on the type, size, and location of the cancer. For basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, Mohs skin cancer surgery is often performed. This technique involves removing the cancerous tissue layer by layer and examining each layer under a microscope until no cancer cells remain. This approach ensures minimal removal of healthy tissue and reduces the risk of recurrence.

For melanoma, which is more aggressive, the skin cancer surgery approach will vary. Wide local excision (removing with a scalpel) is typically used, where the tumor and a margin of surrounding normal skin are removed. (Note: If melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes, additional surgical procedures may be necessary to remove affected nodes.)

When top Detroit area plastic surgeon Dr. Ali performs skin cancer surgery, the excised (removed) tissue is immediately sent to the pathology lab in the hospital for analysis. While the patient remains sedated, the hospital pathologist will confirm that all cancer cells have been removed, and Dr. Ali will then skillfully suture (stitch) the wound closed. Confirming that all of the cancerous cells have been removed is crucial for preventing recurrence.

Skin Cancer Surgery Recovery

Most patients are able to go home after skin cancer surgery within a few hours. Patients are required to have someone available to drive them home from the hospital, as they will still be groggy from the anesthesia.

Recovery from skin cancer surgery varies depending on the extent and location of the surgery, as well as the individual patient’s health. Minor procedures may result in mild discomfort, swelling, and redness, which typically resolve within a few days.

More extensive surgeries, especially those involving reconstructive techniques, may require a longer recovery period. Patients are advised to follow their surgeon’s post-operative care instructions carefully, which includes keeping the surgical site clean, changing out dressings, applying prescribed ointments, preventing sun exposure, avoiding vigorous activity – and of course ceasing smoking, as smoking interferes with the body’s ability to heal.

Regular follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor the healing process and detect any signs of recurrence early. Most patients can return to their normal activities within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the extent of the skin cancer surgery. Although strenuous activities should be avoided until the surgeon gives clearance.

Choosing the Best Surgeon for Skin Cancer Surgery

Choosing the right surgeon for skin cancer surgery is critical. Skin cancer can be deadly when not removed completely, so it is essential to select a board-certified surgeon who is skilled and experienced in skin cancer removal.

Board-certified plastic surgeons, like Dr. Ali in the Detroit area, operate on the skin daily and have specialized training in both the medical removal and cosmetic aspects of skin cancer surgery. This dual expertise of plastic surgeons ensures that the cancer is thoroughly removed while minimizing scarring and preserving the appearance of the skin.

An experienced plastic surgeon will also be adept at performing complex reconstruction of the skin, if necessary, in a single procedure. In contrast, while general surgeons or dermatologic surgeons can effectively remove the cancer, they lack the cosmetic surgery experience to optimize aesthetic results. When you chose a general surgeon or dermatologic surgeon it often requires a second ‘reconstruction’ surgery after the cancer is removed. But choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon from the outset can save patients from needing a second surgery for aesthetic reconstruction.

Top Skin Cancer Surgery | Detroit Area

Skin cancer surgery can literally save your life and preserve the appearance of the skin when performed by a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon. If you live in the greater Detroit area, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali offers the most skilled and advanced skin cancer surgery techniques, ensuring both the effective removal of all cancerous tissue and optimal aesthetic results.

If you have received a diagnosis of skin cancer, our experienced and compassionate surgical team will be by your side every step of the way. When you choose top Detroit plastic surgeon Dr. Ali, you can navigate your skin cancer surgery with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that you are in the most capable and caring hands.