Skin Cancer Surgery
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and the American Academy of Dermatology estimates that one in five Americans will develop it in their lifetime. But not all skin cancers are alike, and not all require the same treatment approach. At Ganger Dermatology, we perform a range of skin cancer removal and treatment methods, each suited to our patients’ unique medical situations. From nonmelanoma gold-standard Mohs surgery to standard or wide local excisions, we’re ready to help you find the best option for your health, safety, and comfort.
Treating All Forms of Skin Cancer with a Personal Touch
Skin cancer can form in three kinds of cells in the epidermis, the outer layer of skin: basal cells in its bottom layer (basal cell carcinoma), squamous cells in its upper layers (squamous cell carcinoma), or the pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, which also sit in the bottom layer (melanoma). Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer; melanoma is the most dangerous.
There are a number of factors that go into deciding the best skin cancer removal option for you. At Ganger Dermatology, we offer standard excisions, wide local excisions, and Mohs surgery, each suited for different types, locations, and behaviors of skin cancers. Our team is highly experienced in determining the best course of action and making sure you feel safe and supported through every step of your care.
Why Choose Ganger Dermatology for Skin Cancer Treatment?
- Board-certified dermatologists
- Compassionate, service-based care
- Comfortable, relaxing environment
- Partnership with U of M
- Educational resources
- Quick, personalized procedures
- Streamlined patient info process
How we remove skin cancer
We choose the method from the type of cancer, its size, its depth, where it sits on the body, and whether it has been treated before. The options we offer:
We cut out the cancerous lesion.
We remove the lesion along with a margin of healthy tissue around it. Most commonly used for melanomas.
Layer-by-layer removal with microscopic examination of each layer, so the surgeon removes the cancer while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. It is the approach of choice for high-risk sites, such as the face, and for recurrent cancers. More about Mohs micrographic surgery.
The lesion is scraped away and the base treated, used for certain superficial cancers in appropriate locations.
Used primarily for precancers, not established cancers. More about Photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Mohs surgery: what to expect
Our two Mohs surgeons perform Mohs surgery in our Ann Arbor office. The surgeon removes a thin layer, checks it under the microscope while you wait, and takes another layer only where cancer remains. Because of that waiting between layers, plan for the visit to take much of the day, and bring something to read.
The American College of Mohs Surgery reports that Mohs has up to a 99% success rate for most skin cancers. Where tissue is precious (face, ears, hands) or the cancer has come back, Mohs is usually the better choice; for many other skin cancers a standard excision is entirely appropriate, and we will explain which suits yours.
Treating precancers before they become cancer
Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly patches on chronically sun-exposed skin — scalp, forehead, ears, forearms, backs of the hands — and they are frequently easier to feel than to see. We treat them because some of them progress. Options include cryotherapy for individual lesions, prescription topical therapy for a wider field of sun damage, and photodynamic therapy where there are many across an area.
If you have found one rough patch that will not go away, there are usually more that you have not found. That is a reason for a full skin cancer screening, not just treating the one you noticed.
Skin Cancer Surgery FAQs
Mohs surgery is widely known as the gold standard in skin cancer removal, but it isn’t always the ideal choice. We typically recommend other forms of excision for melanomas and other more aggressive cancers that spread quickly and require a more extensive approach. We’ll discuss all of your options with you and make sure that you are comfortable and fully educated about our recommendations for skin cancer surgery.
Some skin cancers will respond best to standard or wide local excision surgery. Standard excision involves cutting out the cancerous lesion. Wide local excision involves removing the lesion as well as some of the healthy tissue around it (known as the margin) to ensure that all the cancerous cells are removed. Wide local excisions are most commonly used to treat melanomas.
Most surgical excisions heal within one to three weeks of the procedure, depending on the depth and extent of treatment. In cases where a skin graft is used to close the wound (necessary for some wider excisions), the healing process could take up to two months. Your dermatologist will let you know what to expect, including when you can go back to work and resume normal activities.
Advanced Skin Cancer Surgery at Ganger Dermatology
Skin cancer treatment requires a personalized approach, and our team of board-certified dermatologists is dedicated to providing precisely that. We specialize in identifying, diagnosing, and treating all types of skin cancer, carefully considering the unique factors that influence each treatment’s effectiveness. Our team is here to support you at every step, ensuring a comfortable, stress-free procedure and recovery.
If you notice any suspicious lesions, moles, or spots, contact us for a professional evaluation. Proudly serving patients in Ann Arbor, Plymouth, and Wixom, MI, Ganger Dermatology is your trusted resource for expert skin cancer care. Schedule your appointment today for peace of mind and top-quality care from Michigan’s skin cancer specialists.
We see patients at our Ann Arbor, Plymouth, and Wixom offices, or call us at (734) 344-4567.
