What treatments are available for skin cancer?
As with other cancers, patients always have the choice of radiation and chemotherapy. However, these are often recommended in situations where the cancer has spread, or the cancer is located somewhere inside the body. With skin cancer, most patients will benefit from excision. There are two types of excision that can be used for the treatment of skin cancer. They include traditional surgical excision and a specialized treatment known as Mohs micrographic surgery. Both of these are effective, though patients with recurring cancer or cancer that is highly visible may want to choose Mohs micrographic surgery.
Why Mohs micrographic surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a surgical excision that is done in a certain manner to ensure all affected areas of skin are removed. The procedure requires a dermatologist to remove skin layer by layer, evaluating it under a microscope to monitor for skin cancer. Then another layer is taken, and each layer gets smaller as the skin cancer becomes less noticeable. This treatment may be a deeper excision, but will remove as little healthy skin as possible before stitching the skin together once completed. This procedure will often work well for recurring areas of cancer, as well as for patients who want to reduce the appearance of scarring. Patients who have skin cancer on the face may be a great candidate for this particular excision method. The doctor will evaluate a patient and decide if this treatment is best based on the individual’s unique needs.
Interested in Mohs micrographic surgery?
Contact the team at Georgia Dermatology Partners at (770) 972-4845 today to discuss this and other dermatological solutions available at the practice. With four convenient locations and a wide range of providers and physicians, our team can help you with your needs.
Posted in: Mohs Surgery
