Skin Cancer Surgery (General)
Surgical Associates of Marshall County provides skin cancer surgery in Albertville and Guntersville.
Skin cancer surgery is the leading form of treatment for all forms of skin cancer, including basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma. Skin cancer can develop on any area of skin, but is most common on the arms, hands, neck and face.
What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is marked by the development of discoloration or other abnormal growths on the surface of the skin. Surgery to remove skin cancer is often recommended soon after the detection of a growth, as treating the mass in its early stages, before it has the chance to spread, is the ideal form of treatment for skin cancer.
Several factors increase your risk of developing skin cancer, including:
- Excessive sun exposure
- Light complexion, hair and eye color
- Family predisposition
- Are over the age of 50
If left untreated, certain forms of skin cancer can spread and infect other tissues and organs, potentially leading to fatal consequences.
Surgery for Skin Cancer
The Surgical Associates of Marshall County use minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove skin cancer with as little post-operative pain and scarring possible. Most patients will be placed under anesthesia to remain comfortable during skin cancer removal surgery.
The extent of the procedure necessary during skin cancer removal depends on the size and stage of the cancerous cells. In some situations, lymph nodes may also be removed during your procedure so your surgeon can determine the extent to which the cancer has spread throughout the body, if at all. Any lymph nodes afflicted with cancer will be removed.
Your general surgeon will provide you with details about the procedure for your skin cancer removal. In general, skin cancer is either removed through a local excision, during which the growth and surrounding tissue are removed; or through a wide local excision, during which the cancerous growth, surrounding tissue and lymph nodes are carefully removed.
Depending on the stage and size of the cancerous growth reconstructive surgery may be required following its removal. Your surgeon will provide you with information concerning skin grafts and other cosmetic surgery options.