Skin cancer is the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in a layer of the skin. It is the most common form of cancer, attacking one out of every seven Americans each year. However, if detected in time, most cases of skin cancer can be treated and cured.

There are many treatments for skin cancer depending on the severity of the affected area.

Curettage
Malignant tissue is scraped away with a sharp instrument. This method is most effective for small, superficial cancers that were not treated previously. It is often followed by destruction of the cancerous tissue with an electric needle.

Surgical Excision
Surgical excision, or cutting into the skin and removing the growth. The skin is then closed with stitches.

Cryosurgery
Liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the skin to freeze cancerous tissue.

Topical Chemotherapy
Chemicals capable of destroying the precancerous growths are applied to the skin.

MOHS Micrographic Surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized, highly effective technique for the removal of skin cancer. Mohs surgery differs from the other treatments because it permits the immediate and complete microscopic examination of the removed cancerous tissue, so that all "roots" and extentions of the cancer can be eliminated. Mohs surgery has been recognized as the skin cancer treatment with the highest reported cure rate. Both of our physicians have specialized skills in Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is not always the appropriate treatment for skin cancer.

Laser Surgery
Waves of light are beamed at cancerous skin to cut away or vaporize the tissue.