Skin cancer, if detected early, can be treated and removed with minimal damage to the skin. However, the longer you leave the lesion, the more chances it has to penetrate into the blood system and lymph nodes, after which it becomes one of the most difficult cancers to successfully treat. This means that the key to successfully treating skin cancer is early detection and effective treatment. When you book an appointment at Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio, TX, we will take into account the lesion’s size, age and depth of penetration to determine the best treatment plan for your particular needs. The best form of skin cancer near Santa rosa treatment for you will depend on a variety of different factors. Contact us today to learn about your treatment options.
Excisional surgery simply involves excising the cancer from the surrounding healthy tissue. The procedure is typically performed with local anesthesia and tends to have a high success rate with both melanoma and nonmelanoma cancers such as basal and squamous cell carcinoma.
If your skin cancer cannot be fully treated with excisional surgery, Dr. Opeola will refer you to a skincare specialist for Mohs surgery, photodynamic therapy or radiation.
This form of cancer treatment removes precancerous and cancerous lesions with extremely cold temperatures. The procedure is usually done with liquid nitrogen. Cryosurgery, in combination with curettage, can be a good alternative to excision in some cases.
Curettage and electrodesiccation, or C&D, can be performed on smaller cancers and precancerous lesions. The procedure is done in two parts.
The first step involves numbing the treated area and scraping away the tumor. Next, Dr. Opeola will cauterize the area with an electric needle to target remaining cancerous cells and stop any bleeding.
In some cases, topical chemotherapy may be necessary to treat the skin cancer effectively. The medication is typically administered as an ointment or cream that is directly applied to the skin.
The key to fighting skin cancer is early detection and removal. If you’ve noticed a new growth or changes in existing moles, schedule an appointment at Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio, TX as soon as possible. Dr. Opeola will help you learn about your skin cancer near Santa rosa treatment options.