Biopsy
A small fragment of skin from the suspected cancer is removed and examined under the microscope. Once the biopsy results have been obtained, the best method of treatment can then be decided upon.
Curettage and Electrodesiccation
In this treatment, your provider removes the cancer by scraping it with a long, thin instrument with a sharp looped edge on one end (called a curette). The area is then treated with an electric needle (electrode) to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This process is often repeated once or twice during the same office visit. Curettage and electrodesiccation is a good treatment for superficial basal cell and squamous cell cancers. This procedure is quick and can be performed in your doctor’s office. It can be used to treat several lesions in one visit.
Surgical & Elliptical Excisions
A circular incision is made around the cancer. By removing a wide border of normal tissue, the doctor is trying to include any roots or extensions of the cancer that cannot be seen with the naked eye. The skin removed during the surgical excision is then examined under the microscope to assure that all of the cancer has been removed.
Elliptical excisions may be performed to completely remove a variety of skin lesions, including cancers, atypical moles, precancerous lesions, cysts, or lipomas. A “football-shaped” incision is made around the lesion with a surrounding variable margin of normal appearing skin. The lesion is cut out entirely and the skin is stitched back together. The tissue that was removed is then examined under the microscope to ensure complete removal.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
What is Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is a specialized, highly effective technique for removing skin cancers. It was developed in the 1930’s by Dr. Frederic Mohs at the University of Wisconsin and is now practiced throughout the world. Mohs surgery differs from other skin cancer treatments in that it permits the immediate and complete micrographic examination of the removed cancer tissue so that all roots and extensions of the cancer can be found and eliminated. Mohs surgery has the highest reported cure rate of all treatments for skin cancer.
Treating all skin cancer with Mohs surgery is not necessary. Mohs surgery is reserved for skin cancers that have grown back again after previous treatment, are at high risk for recurring, or which are located in cosmetic areas where preservation of the maximum amount of normal skin is important.
Both Drs. McTigue and Chen have had extensive training and experience in skin cancer management and dermatologic reconstructive surgery. Dr. McTigue has been performing Mohs surgery for more than 40 years and has completed over 40,000 cases of Mohs Micrographic surgery. She is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and the American Society of Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Dr. Chen completed rigorous fellowship training in Mohs micrographic surgery and is board-certified in both dermatology and micrographic dermatologic (Mohs) surgery by the American Board of Dermatology. She is a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery. Dr. Chen gained extensive experience with melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma, as well as the more common types of skin cancer, at the University of Michigan and Saint Louis University prior to joining Dr. McTigue at DCSI.
