Skin Cancer &
Reconstruction

Any cancer diagnosis is difficult to handle. It can make the process even more upsetting to worry about possible disfigurement after getting skin cancer surgery. At Hess, Sandeen, and Lee Plastic Surgery, we are committed to helping you through this incredibly tough time. Our board-certified plastic surgeons perform skin cancer removal as well as reconstruction for tissue lost due to cancer treatment. We are here to help with your cancer treatment while helping to preserve your appearance.

Types Of Skin Cancer

There are three common types of skin cancer as well as a number of less-common types such as merkel cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, kaposi sarcoma, and skin adnexal tumors.

Most often, we see patients with:

Basal Cell Carcinoma

This accounts for about 80% of skin cancer diagnoses. In most cases, basal cell carcinoma develops on the head, neck, or other parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun. These carcinomas need to be removed entirely or they will often grow back in the same spot. However, this variety of cancer is unlikely to be malignant.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cells are cells on the outer layer of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma causes these to grow abnormally. Like basal cell carcinomas, they tend to develop in areas of the body that are often in the sun. They are more likely to spread to other parts of the body than basal cell carcinomas, but this is still relatively uncommon.

Melanoma

Skin Cancer Surgery

For most cases of skin cancer, you will at some point need to get the tumor excised. This means that the affected area is cut out and the surrounding skin is sutured shut. This can be a simple procedure or, if a large amount of tissue is removed, may require a more complex reconstructive process.

We often use the comparison that skin cancer is like an iceberg. There may be a visible section of skin cancer cells on the surface of your skin with more cancer cells lurking underneath. It is important that every cancer cell is removed for your treatment to be a success. As a result, we may order a frozen section. We will send your removed lesion to a lab where they will look for clear margins, or areas on the edge of the removed tissue that do not have any cancer cells. If there are still cancer cells, we will need to remove more tissue until we achieve clear margins. This would require follow-up surgery.

In some cases, there is no clearly defined border for the skin cancer under the skin. In those cases, Mohs micrographic surgery may be necessary. We will review your specific case and any lab tests to determine if this is the right approach.

Reconstructive Surgery

If your cancerous lesions are small enough, they will likely be removed and sutured shut in one surgery. However, if the lesion is larger or if you require multiple surgeries to achieve clear margins, you may have a larger amount of tissue taken from the site. In those cases, reconstructive surgery can be performed separately or at the same time as the excision.

In order to reconstruct the area, your plastic surgeon will use a flap of skin from the area surrounding the incision. This will be repositioned to cover the area. In some cases where local skin will not completely cover the excised area, we can also use skin grafts from other parts of the body.

Recovery From Excision And Reconstruction

Recovery from any type of surgery is different for everyone. Your surgeon will go over specific instructions with you at your consultation. In most cases, you will experience redness, swelling, or discomfort at the site of the incisions. The incisions may also drain fluids. Most individuals can resume light activity the same day as their surgery. Scarring is always present after reconstructions or excisions. At your consultation, we will set expectations and make sure that we do everything possible to get you the best possible results.

For skin cancer removal surgery, you will need to consult with Dr. Hess, Dr. Sandeen, or Dr. Lee to determine if follow-up surgeries are necessary to ensure clear margins. You will also need to discuss treatment with any other doctors involved in your cancer treatment. In some cases, you may need radiation or other treatments.

Will Insurance Cover Skin Cancer Surgery ?

Choose Hess, Sandeen, and Lee For Skin Cancer And Reconstruction

Dr. Hess, Dr. Sandeen, and Dr. Lee are committed to helping you through the difficult time after a cancer diagnosis. We perform excision surgeries to remove cancer as well as reconstructive surgery to correct any scarring or disfigurement. Our surgeries can be an important part of your cancer treatment. We will work alongside any other doctors to work toward the best possible outcome.