Skin Cancer Removal in Columbus, GA | Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery

Body Procedures

Skin Cancer

A skin cancer diagnosis can be distressing. Not only are you facing a potentially dangerous disease, but its treatment can leave you with significant scarring and changes to your appearance.

At Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery we understand the uncertainty and fear a cancer diagnosis carries. This is why we make it our goal to offer our patients cutting-edge skin cancer removal that leaves minimal scarring. Our experts are also trained and experienced in reconstructive surgery following cancer removal. We want our patients to feel at ease when deciding to receive treatment at our ambulatory center, so we make it a point to listen to all your concerns and answer every question you have thoroughly.

About Skin Cancer Removal

Like many types of cancer, skin cancer requires surgery to remove the cancerous growth. Removing the skin cancer prevents it from spreading to distant parts of the body (metastasis) or resulting in significant disfigurement. Almost any type of skin cancer can be surgically removed, including melanoma as well as basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

Surgical removal of skin cancer is often enough to cure patients of this disease. But some patients are left with open wounds or significant scarring following treatment, especially if the cancer was large. Luckily, Dr. Naman is experienced in corrective surgery after skin cancer removal.

Types of Surgery for Skin Cancer

Many different techniques are used in skin cancer removal. Your surgeon’s choice of technique will depend on the size, location and type of the skin cancer. The most commonly utilized techniques are:

Excision

For this procedure, your surgeon numbs the area with a local anesthetic. They then remove the tumor along with some surrounding skin using a surgical scalpel. The tissue sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Because this procedure is usually done on small tumors, the wound can be easily stitched together for minimal scarring.

Wide local excision

For larger tumors, a wide local excision may be necessary. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, the surgeon removes the tumor along with a small margin of healthy tissue in the shape of an ellipse. The sample is then sent to a pathologist for examination.

A wide local excision may result in a larger wound that can be difficult to close with sutures alone. In these cases, Dr. Naman can perform a skin graft or skin flap.

After Skin Cancer Removal

Skin cancer removal is an outpatient procedure, so most patients recover at home. Our surgeons will follow you through your recovery to make sure there are no complications. Sutures are usually removed during your follow-up visit, anywhere between five and 10 days after surgery.

If your skin cancer surgery requires a large amount of tissue to be removed, you will likely need a local flap or skin graft:

Local flap

A local flap can be performed at the same time as your skin cancer removal. The surgeon cuts and stretches adjacent healthy tissue that is sutured over the wound. A skin flap contains intact blood vessels, which promotes good healing.

Skin graft

A split skin graft is a thin layer of skin taken from another area of the body and secured to the open wound. Skin grafts do not contain their own blood vessels but rely on the wound bed for blood supply. A full-thickness graft contains a thick layer of skin for wounds that are complex and large.

Skin flaps are usually performed at the same time as skin cancer removal, while grafts may sometimes be carried out two to three weeks after surgery.

Want to Learn More About Skin Cancer Removal in Columbus, GA?

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, affecting one in five adults during their lifetime. Although a diagnosis of skin cancer can be distressing, most skin cancer is curable with surgery. Our team at Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery understands this and is here to listen to your concerns.

To schedule your consultation with our board-certified surgeons, click here to contact us today or call our office at 706-494-7700. Our surgeons are proud to serve all residents of Columbus and the surrounding cities of Georgia.

“Dr. Naman and his staff are professional and attentive. Every concern of mine has been addressed, and they have gone above and beyond to make sure that I’m not only healthy but also happy.” – Stephanie B.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does skin cancer removal take?

Simple excisions of tumors are performed quickly, usually within 30-45 minutes.

Is skin cancer removal painful?

Skin cancer removal is performed using a local anesthetic to numb the area that is being treated. If your tumor covers a large area of skin, you may even need to undergo general anesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep during your procedure.

How successful is skin cancer removal?

The five-year survival rate for skin cancer is nearly 100% when discovered early, i.e. when the cancer has not spread beyond the skin. For cancer that has spread to distant tissues, patients often require systemic treatments to be cured.

Is skin cancer removal covered by insurance?

Treating skin cancer is medically necessary, so it is usually fully covered by insurance. Make sure to speak to your doctor and insurer before getting treatment to see if there are any additional costs involved in your treatment.

Are there other specialists I need to consult for my skin cancer treatment?

In addition to undergoing skin cancer surgery with a plastic surgeon, you should have an established oncologist for comprehensive care. Plastic surgery addresses the removal of the lesion and reconstruction of the affected area, but it does not treat the underlying cancer. An oncologist will evaluate the need for additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation based on the type and stage of your skin cancer.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13