Skin cancer is a frightening diagnosis, but in most cases, first-time skin cancer can be cured with surgical excision alone. At Odessa General Surgery, Kevin Lync, DO, is an expert at treating skin cancers. If you have skin cancer or worry that you might have it, call the Odessa, Texas office today or use the online contact form to schedule an appointment.
Skin Cancer Surgery
How can I tell if I have skin cancer?
You may not know you have skin cancer until you visit your doctor, but there are steps you can take to keep your skin healthy.
Be sure to apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 every two hours when you’re outdoors or near a sunny window (including car windows). You should examine your skin monthly and have a medical skin cancer screening at least once per year.
Contact Dr. Lynch if you notice any new or changing lesions anywhere on your body, including areas that aren’t exposed to sun, such as the soles of your feet, between your toes and fingers, and on your genitals.
Changes in a mole or lesion that suggest skin cancer can be remembered with the “ABCDE” mnemonic:
A — lesions that are Asymmetric (halves don’t match)
B — Borders that are ragged, notched, or scalloped
C — Colors that change or vary, or lesions that are multicolored
D — lesions with a Diameter that’s bigger than a pencil eraser
E — lesions that Evolve by growing, changing color, or changing shape
You should also contact Dr. Lynch if you notice a lesion or spot that’s bleeding, itching, oozing, or doesn’t heal.
How does a surgeon treat skin cancer?
Depending on the type of skin cancer lesion you have, Dr. Lynch may recommend simple excision of the cancer, or a more complex excision may be necessary to adequately remove the cancer. On rare occasions, special techniques such as skin grafting, local tissue advancement flaps, or sentinel lymph node biopsy may be indicated.
Dr. Lynch may also remove your lesions with laser therapy or cryosurgery, which destroys the cancer cells by freezing them.
What are benign skin and soft tissue lesions?
Benign skin and soft tissue lesions are very common conditions and are often easily treated. Examples of benign lesions may include:
- lipomas
- cysts
- moles
- seborrheic and actinic keratoses
- warts
Benign skin and soft tissue lesions are usually treated and removed with cryosurgery, shave excision, or complete excision. Oftentimes, these procedures can be performed in the office using local anesthesia. Other times, it is best to perform the surgery in the operating room as an outpatient. Dr. Lynch will advise you on the best approach to treat your condition.
To find out if you have skin cancer versus a benign lesion, or to treat a lesion that has already been diagnosed but needs additional treatment, call Dr. Lynch’s office or contact his team with the online form.