Skin cancer is a major portion of this practice with a tertiary referral center for Mohs micrographic surgery and plastic reconstruction. Over 2000 skin cancer patients are treated each year requiring multiple procedures for cancer removal, reconstruction, and then preventive treatment for pre-malignancies, including skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, and peeling techniques. These resurfacing techniques have been performed in a therapeutic manner for diffuse keratoses, squamous cell carcinoma in-situ, basal cell nevus syndrome and other malignant and premalignant conditions. Patients with significant photo-aging skin are followed over decades for cancer surveillance and ongoing therapy.
The Surgery Center includes a histopathology laboratory for rapid frozen section analysis of skin biopsies of surgical specimens. Should your physician find a skin cancer, fortunately there are a wide array of medical and surgical treatment options. The choice depends on the type of cancer, the location and patient needs.
Common surgical procedures:
Excisional Surgery involves the removal of the entire lesion along with some of the surrounding tissue as a safety margin. This area is usually stitched closed after the cancer is removed. This procedure is performed in our office and the removed tissue is then sent to the laboratory for microscopic review to be sure all the cancer is gone.
Of all treatments for skin cancer, Mohs micrographic surgery offers the highest cure rate for skin cancer: up to 99% with the smallest scars, according to the American College of Mohs Surgery. Plus, this state-of-the-art method of skin cancer removal offers the lowest possibility of skin cancer regrowth and less risk of scarring than with traditional methods. With this highly specialized procedure, the skin cancer tumor is accurately and precisely removed down to its roots, giving it little or no chance to grow back.
Your physician will determine your needs for Mohs surgery and our staff will prepare you for the procedure. Our AAAHC approved surgical center includes a CLIA approved laboratory for analysis of the tissue during the procedure. For selective patients we also perform the Mohs surgical procedure at the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital. We also work with selective Plastic and Oculoplastic surgeons for advanced and complicated surgical cases.
Our Mohs surgeons, Dr. Blake Phillips and Dr. Callie Hill have years of experience performing Mohs surgery and reconstruction procedures for skin cancer. In our state of the art surgery center you will be treated effectively and with compassion. To read additional information about this procedure and our Mohs surgeons, click here.
