Reconstructive Surgery Options After Skin Cancer
Treating skin cancer can impact the appearance of the treatment area, potentially causing large scars or even disfigurement. This can be distressing for patients who are already managing the stress of a skin cancer diagnosis.
Consulting with a plastic surgeon who is experienced in skin cancer removal and reconstruction, like Dr. Mosiello at Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery, can help minimize the effects on your appearance after the procedure. Dr. Mosiello is highly skilled in reconstructive surgery for skin cancer and can implement an approach to successfully remove your cancer and optimize your results. Patients will be counseled that scars are permanent but they will fade over time. The ultimate goal is to be cancer-free!
Skin Cancer Removal
Scarring from skin cancer removal depends on the size and location of the lesion. Whenever possible, your surgeon will conceal the incision in the body’s natural lines and folds. Additionally, to minimize scarring, your surgeon will use fine sutures.
Unfortunately, the visible lesion may only be a small part of the entire skin cancer growth. This may mean that the removal procedure is more extensive than was first expected. However, it is essential to remove all the cancer cells so that you can make a full recovery. Regardless of the extent of the procedure, Dr. Mosiello can implement reconstructive techniques to optimize your results after skin cancer removal.
Reconstructive Options
Depending on the size and location of the lesion, reconstruction after skin cancer removal may range from fine sutures to a skin graft or skin flap.
- If the skin cancer lesion is small and the tissue that needs to be removed is minimal, fine sutures alone may be used to close the incision. Scarring from the incision typically fades over the next 2 years after the procedure.
- For somewhat larger lesions, a skin graft may be used to restore the appearance of the skin. A skin graft involves moving unaffected skin from a different area of the body to the lesion, then securing it with sutures.
- For much larger lesions, a skin flap may be required. A skin flap is a transfer of multiple tissue components, which may include skin, fat, and muscle. The flap is partially detached, then moved to the close-by lesion.
Contact Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mosiello about skin cancer reconstruction.
