  
Surgical Dermatology Procedures
Surgical Procedures
Skin Cancer Surgery
The most common skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. These skin
cancers typically grow slowly most often in sun exposed areas.
They can look like a shiny pearly bump, a red patch, or
non-healing sore on the skin. Although basal cell cancers rarely
spread to other areas of the body, they can do local
destruction.
The second most common skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma.
Chronic sun exposure places patients at risk for development of
SCC but other factors include scars, burns, radiation therapy
and exposure to chemicals. These cancers can look like red
patches, sores, wart-like growths and large bumps on the skin.
Squamous cell cancers can penetrate deep into the skin and in a
very small percentage of cases it can travel to the lymph nodes
and other parts of the body.
Malignant melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer because it
has a greater potential to spread through the body. It can arise
from an already existing mole that has changed or develop on its
own. A melanoma lesion can be black, brown, red or multicolored
and have irregular borders. All patients with a family history,
or personal history, of skin cancer should have regular full
body skin exams. It is very important to diagnose and treat
melanoma skin cancers early. Dr. Travis will discuss the early
warning signs of melanoma during the office visit.
Dr. Travis encourages all patients to request a full skin exam
so that she can identify any suspicious lesions. When a skin
cancer is suspected, Dr. Travis will perform a biopsy to get a
definitive diagnosis. Most skin cancers can typically be treated
easily in the office under local anesthesia. They can usually be
cured if they are found and treated in a timely manner.
Treatments include surgical removal or a procedure called
electrodessication and curettage.
For more information please call: 212.769.0069
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