Basil Cell Carcinoma is a very common skin cancer related to sun exposure over time that affects millions of Americans every year. The treatment involves removal of the cancer and reconstruction of the defect at the same time as the surgical treatment. Often we will work with a pathologist at the time of surgery to be certain all of the cancer is removed. As many as 85 percent of skin cancers are on the face, and we see hundreds of these cases each year. While defects may require grafting or rotation of tissue to reconstruct, we see excellent cosmetic results and very high cure rates following treatment.

Squamous cell cancers, while also sun related, can occur anywhere on the body and can be more aggressive, so a surgical removal of squamous cell tumors is the treatment of choice along with a wider “safety margin” to ensure no cancer cells are left behind. Depending upon the size of the defect and the location of the cancer, grafts, flaps, and other reconstructive procedures are employed to maximize function and achieve good cosmetic results.
Occasionally, radiation may be used in conjunction with the treatment of these types of cancers.

Melanoma is a skin cancer of the melanocytes, which are the pigment producing cells of the skin. It is a potentially aggressive of skin cancer and surgery is the primary treatment option. Treatment is based upon the depth of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, requires surgery to remove the tumor and a margin of tissue around the tumor to reduce the risk of recurrence, and may require graft or flap reconstruction. Lymph node biopsy may be indicated depending upon the depth of the tumor. Patients may also be referred to our team of oncologists and radiation therapists for combined treatment. The outcome is dependent upon early diagnosis and treatment