Surgical Dermatology

Dermatologic surgery can be essential for the removal of moles and skin cancer. Skin cancers such as squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma, skin tumors, and melanoma are essential to get tested for with a biopsy and then removed. At Grand Strand Dermatology, we also remove benign growths like moles, cysts, and Lipoma's that can be irritating or unattractive. Don’t wait until it’s too late to get your skin checked for cancer. When caught early enough, skin cancer is often easily treatable. Contact Grand Strand Dermatology to be treated by one of our board-certified dermatologists, Physicians Assistants, or Nurse Practitioner where we’ll create an individualized treatment plan suited to your needs.

Biopsy Procedures

Shave Biopsy

The Lesion in question will be marked with a skin marker, and a photo taken of the site for accuracy and documentation. The area will be cleaned and prepped then injected with a local anesthetic. Once numb the provider will take a surgical blade and remove the lesion, and place it in a biopsy bottle and sent to the lab for processing. A bandage will be place in the site. Once Processed and the results are read by the dermatologist you will be notified of your biopsy results as soon as available. If you have not be notified of your results after one week, please contact the office at (843) 215-1100.

After care instructions: First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

Remove the initial dressing in 24 hours.
Wash the area with soap and water twice a day, and apply a thin film of Aquaphor or Vaseline and cover with a fresh bandage for 3 or 4 days.

It is normal for the site to become puffy, reddened, or irritated. However, if the site is warm to the touch, oozing, or severely reddened or very sore, you need to contact the office at (843) 215-1100.

Punch Biopsy

A Punch Biopsy can be used for lesions and/or skin conditions where we need the full depth of a small piece of skin. The procedure consist of a marking the skin with a skin marker, and a photo taken of the site for accuracy and documentation. The area will be cleaned and prepped then injected with a local anesthetic. Once numb the provider will remove a small round piece of tissue about the size of a pencil eraser using a sharp, hollow, circular instrument called a punch. The tissue sample is then placed in a biopsy bottle and sent to the lab for processing. The provider will then place one to three sutures to close the hole, and a bandage will be place on the site. and a suture removal appointment will be scheduled. Once Processed and the results are read by the dermatologist you will be notified of your biopsy results as soon as available. If you have not be notified of your results after one week, please contact the office at (843) 215-1100.

After care instructions: First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

Remove the initial dressing in 24 hours.
Wash the area with soap and water twice a day, and apply at least once a day a thin film of Aquaphor or Vaseline and cover with a fresh bandage until your scheduled suture removal appointment.
On your scheduled day of suture removal, cleanse the wound, and leave the area DRY (do not apply any ointment) and return to our office at your scheduled time to have the sutures removed
If your wound is in the beard area on your face or other area where you normally shave, please avoid shaving near the wound.

Understanding Skin Cancer Removal

Patients who have skin cancer can undergo skin cancer removal surgery. Most treatments to remove cancerous lesions can be conducted under local anesthesia. At Grand Strand Dermatology, we specialize in effective skin cancer removal methods that ensure patient comfort, safety, and care. Skin cancer removal requires delicate and sensitive procedures that remove small cancerous lesions with excision, while larger lesions may require reconstruction surgery. We will go over your specific needs in detail and create a surgical plan for your unique case.

Skin Cancer Removal Procedures

Skin Cancer patients can expect a surgical plan to remove their skin cancer based on the location , size, and type of tumor. Most treatments to remove cancerous lesions can be conducted under local anesthesia.

Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C)

The Skin Cancer is removed with a Surgical tool called a curette with a hoop or scoop on the end for scraping. An electric current is then applied to the area through a needle-like electrode designed to kill the remaining cancer cells and reduce bleeding.

After care instructions: The ED&C site must be kept clean if it is to heal rapidly. It is a small open wound which may or may not leave a scar. To clean the site, follow these instructions

First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

Remove Initial dressing in 24 hours.
Wash the area with soap and water twice a day. Apply a thin film of Aquaphor or Vaseline and cover with a fresh bandage until healing has occurred. This may take up to 2/4 week, depending on size of the wound and location.
Do not use Neosporin or other over the counter topical antibiotics as allergies to these medications are quite common and they can slow down healing.
Keep wound moist with Vaseline and band-aid, as stated in number 2. A scab or leaving it open to the environment will slow down healing.

Surgical Excision

The skin cancer growth is removed with surgical excision by cutting or shaving it out of the skin with a scalpel. Local anesthesia is used to numb the affected area. Depending on the type of tumor, our surgeons my remove a certain amount of surrounding tissue.

After Care Instructions: First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

You may apply an ice pack following surgery. Apply the ice pack on for 20 minutes, and then remove for 20 minutes, and repeat the process as needed.
Remember, applying direct pressure to the surgery site stops bleeding.
You may take Tylenol for Pain if needed.
Leave the wound dressing on for 24 hours
While showering, remove your current dressing and clean your wound, and the remove for gently with warm water and soap to remove any dried blood and prevent scab formation.
Apply Vaseline ointment at least one time daily, and cover the entire wound with a band-aide or gauze dressing.
On your scheduled day of suture removal, cleanse the wound, and leave the area DRY (do not apply any ointment) and return to our office at your scheduled time to have the sutures removed
If your wound is in the beard area on your face or other area where you normally shave, please avoid shaving near the wound.
If the surgical site starts to bleed excessively and doesn't stop with applied pressure for 15 minutes, the dressing become saturated with blood. If there is excessive swelling or the site become inflamed and warm to the touch. Call the office at(843) 215-1100.

Frozen Sections (Mohs)

The surgeon removes the visible skin cancer and come surrounding tissue via and incision. The removed tissue is frozen, dyed, and evaluated under a microscope by a pathologist to see if the cancer has been removed entirely. If cancerous cells are still present, the process of excision and evaluation is repeated until the cancer is no longer detected. The diagnosis of the removed tissue is made in real-time, so the patient can be confirmed cancer-free the same day. The process can take several hours to fulling remove the cancer.

After Care Instructions: First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

You may apply an ice pack following surgery. Apply the ice pack on for 20 minutes, and then remove for 20 minutes, and repeat the process as needed.
Remember, applying direct pressure to the surgery site stops bleeding.
You may take Tylenol for Pain if needed.
Leave the wound dressing on for 24 hours
While showering, remove your current dressing and clean your wound, and the remove for gently with warm water and soap to remove any dried blood and prevent scab formation.
Apply Vaseline ointment at least one time daily, and cover the entire wound with a band-aide or gauze dressing.
On your scheduled day of suture removal, cleanse the wound, and leave the area DRY (do not apply any ointment) and return to our office at your scheduled time to have the sutures removed
If your wound is in the beard area on your face or other area where you normally shave, please avoid shaving near the wound.
If the surgical site starts to bleed excessively and doesn't stop with applied pressure for 15 minutes, the dressing become saturated with blood. If there is excessive swelling or the site become inflamed and warm to the touch. Call the office at (843) 215-1100

Cryosurgery

Typically used to treat minor skin cancers and pre-cancerous lesions, cryosurgery involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the cancer cells. The procedure, also known as cryotherapy is repeated until the affected area no longer shows signs of pre-cancer or cancer.

After Care Instructions:

You do note need to cover the area treated, unless instructed to do so.
The discomfort is temporary but may last for 10-30 minutes after treatment.
The area may appear red for up to one hour after freezing but often returns to normal color within 10-15 minutes.
A blister may form within 24 hours of treatment. this may be clear fluid filled or blood filled, if it is uncomfortable, you may drain it by using a clean needle cleansed with alcohol. If this is done, cover with a Band-Aid and Vaseline ointment for approximately one week. This bandage should be changed daily.
Sometimes a scab will will form over the area treated. This will come off on its own and does not need to be covered.
If you have any questions or concerns after reading the above information, please do not hesitate to call our office at (843) 215-1100

Side Effects of Skin Cancer Removal

With any kind of skin cancer removal, scarring is likely to occur. Incision sites may be sore, red, or drain small amounts of fluid. Healing will continue for weeks and even months after your surgery, incision lines will fade and continue to improve. Sun exposure on wounds and scar lines can result in irregular pigmentation or cause the sight to become red, raised, or dark, so patients should follow post-op preventative instructions carefully.