The skin is not only the largest but also one of the most vital organs in the body. Our skin acts as the gateway to our body, protecting our vital inner organs from the outside threats like bacteria and other invaders, while also regulating our body’s temperature through the process of perspiration, and much more. While the sun is known to provide us with certain vital vitamins and nutrients, it can also be a detriment, along with other outside factors it can cause skin cancer. At Long Island Dermatology, we offer patients a thorough and careful skin cancer screening and treatment process.
Skin Cancer Screening & Treatment
Skin cancer treatment can differ from patient to patient, and depending on your specific issues, we may recommend a different course of treatment specific to your needs. At Long Island Dermatology we offer treatment options including Mohs Micrographic Surgery.
Excision Surgery
One of the most common forms of skin cancer surgery, excision surgery is similar to having a biopsy. During excision surgery a local anesthetic is first applied, and the tumor is then cut out using a surgical knife. In many cases, some of the surrounding skin tissue might be cut out as well. Once the cancerous tissue is removed, the skin can be stitched back together.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs surgery (also known as Mohs micrographic surgery, or MMS) is sometimes used when there is a high risk the skin cancer will come back after treatment, when the extent of the skin cancer is not known, or when the goal is to save as much healthy skin as possible, such as with cancers near the eye or other critical areas such as the central part of the face, the ears, or fingers. To begin the process the doctor will remove a very thin layer of the skin (including the tumor) and then check the removed sample under a microscope. If cancer cells are seen, another layer is removed and examined. This is repeated until the skin samples are free of cancer cells. This is a slow process, often taking several hours, but it means that more normal skin near the tumor can be saved. This can help the area look better after surgery.
For more information on skin cancer treatment or Mohs Micrographic Surgery, be sure to contact the Long Island Dermatology today.
