Skin Cancer Reconstruction: What You Need to Know

Thursday, 30 July 2020 05:51

Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center

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The three common forms of this disease, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, may occur anywhere on the body. The first two, because they are related to sun exposure, are often found on the face or other highly visible areas. When skin cancer has become invasive to surrounding tissue, surgery is the most efficient method of getting rid of cancer cells. The benefit of skin cancer surgery is that it tends to have a very good prognosis. The downside is that a patient may be left with visible scarring. At Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center offices in Pottsville and Hazleton, patients can explore their options for skin cancer reconstruction.

Goals of Skin Cancer Reconstruction

Skin cancer presents multiple challenges. First, the challenge of dealing with skin cancer itself. Then, the issue of appearance after skin cancer removal. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely undo the damage caused by skin cancer, and no surgery can be performed without some degree of scarring. This is where reconstruction comes in. A skilled plastic surgeon can reconstruct scars to significantly reduce their visibility. The goal of reconstruction is to do this while also restoring facial form to as close to normal as possible so patients can return to their daily life without concern about how others may see them.

The timing of reconstruction after skin cancer surgery may vary from one patient to another. Some dermatologists conducting skin cancer surgery advise patients to arrange reconstruction as early as the following day. Timing may depend on the type and extent of reconstruction that is needed. The type and extent of reconstruction are determined by several factors. These include the depth, location, and severity of the defect that is expected or has resulted from skin cancer and the surgery done to remove cancerous tissue.

Common techniques for skin cancer reconstruction include:

• Primary repair, in which a circular scar is transformed into a straight scar.
• Skin graft, which takes skin from another part of the body to replace the scar.
• Local flap reconstruction, which repairs the scar using adjacent skin.
• Nose reconstruction using tissue and, if needed, cartilage from other parts of the body.

Skin cancer reconstruction is a complex process, but one that can be managed extremely well by an experienced plastic surgeon. This follow-up treatment to skin cancer surgery can restore appearance and confidence. To learn more, contact our Pottsville or Hazleton office.