If after a biopsy is done, the diagnosis is skin cancer, usually more treatment is needed. Treatment of the skin cancer depends on the type of skin cancer, where the cancer is located, and the age of the patient. We offer various surgical treatments for skin cancers including desiccation and curettage, cryosurgery, and excision.
Curettage and Electrodessication (C&D) is the process of removing less serious skin cancers. Under a local anesthetic, the doctor uses a special tool to scrape off the unwanted tissue. Finally, the area is cauterized to stop the bleeding.
Cryosurgery is the use of very cold substance, liquid nitrogen, applied to the cancerous area. The extreme cold kills the cancer cells. This type of treatment is only applicable for certain less worrisome cancers.
Often a skin cancer needs to be fully excised. Under local anesthesia, the cancerous area is removed by cutting around and under the cancer, and then the layers are stitched together.
There are certain complicated skin cancers that need a special surgical treatment called “Moh’s”, which involves removal of the cancerous skin in phases until it is gone and subsequent plastic surgical repairs. In these cases we refer you to specialized dermatologic surgeons.