Skin Cancer Surgery Specialist

Dermatology Arts

Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology serving the areas of South Pasadena, Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada - Flintridge, and Los Angeles, CA

More than 3 million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. Skin cancer surgery is one of the primary treatments for skin cancer. The team of dermatology experts at Dermatology Arts specializes in skin cancer surgery, including Mohs surgery. To schedule a skin cancer surgery consultation at the state-of-the-art dermatology practice, call the office in South Pasadena or Arcadia, California, or book an appointment online today.

Skin Cancer Surgery. Q & A

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that originates in your skin cells, triggering a growth of abnormal cells. There are many types of skin cancer, but the most common types include:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and usually affects areas of the skin that get the most sun exposure. BCC lesions look like round skin-colored growths or pearly bumps.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

SCC also tends to affect sun-exposed areas of the body including the face, neck, arms, chest, and back. SCC lesions may appear as firm red bumps or scaly patches of skin.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that affects your pigment-producing cells: melanocytes. This type of cancer may appear anywhere on your body, including areas that don’t get sun exposure.

Melanoma is less common than BCC and SCC, but it’s the deadliest. These lesions look like abnormally shaped or colored moles.

If you find any abnormal skin growth or new growth on your skin, schedule a consultation with the experts at Dermatology Arts right away.

Who needs skin cancer surgery?

Anyone diagnosed with skin cancer needs skin cancer surgery. Surgery is the primary treatment for BCC, SCC, and melanoma.

However, you may need other treatments for your skin cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, depending on the type, location, and size of your skin cancer.

What are types of skin cancer surgery?

The skilled dermatologists at Dermatology Arts use many techniques when performing skin cancer surgery. The technique they use depends on the skin cancer type, location, and size.

Types of skin cancer surgery include:

Excision

During an excision, your dermatologist removes the cancerous lesion along with some of the surrounding healthy skin. For melanoma, your dermatologist may make a wide excision to ensure complete removal of the cancer.

Curettage and electrodesiccation

For curettage and electrodesiccation, your dermatologist uses a tool to scrape out the cancerous lesion (curettage) and then treat the remaining cancer cells with an electric needle (electrodesiccation).

Mohs surgery

For nonmelanoma cancers (BCC and SCC) the team at Dermatology Arts may perform Mohs surgery. This unique skin cancer surgery requires specialized training and involves removal of the cancerous lesions one layer at a time until they reach only healthy skin tissue.

Mohs surgery preserves more of your healthy skin and has the most success at complete removal of the cancer.

To schedule an appointment with the experts in skin cancer surgery, call Dermatology Arts or book a consultation online today.

What we offer