Dermatologic Surgery
Biopsy
To perform a skin biopsy, your dermatologist first numbs the area with an injection. Once the area is numb, your provider removes some (or all) of the growth. This is sent to a lab, where a dermatopathologist or a board certified dermatologist will examine the specimen under a microscope. A dermatopathologist is a dermatologist who receives specialized training in examining skin samples. Many rashes that cannot be diagnosed with the naked eye can be better investigated with a biopsy. The only way to know for certain whether a growth is skin cancer is to examine it this way under a microscope.
Cryotherapy
This treatment destroys visible lesions by freezing them. The treated skin often blisters and peels off within a few days to a few weeks. This is a very common treatment. When the skin heals, you may see a small white mark is left behind. Discomfort is minimal and the procedure is quick.
Excision
This procedure involves surgical excision of the lesion including a margin of normal skin. This method is preferred for larger lesions (>2cm) on the cheek, forehead, trunk, and extremities. The advantage of this treatment is that it provides a better cure rate then simple destruction with curretage.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
This treatment is used most commonly to selectively target cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue of the skin. A solution is first applied to the skin to make abnormal tissue more sensitive to light. After this solution is left on the skin for 1-2 hours, the treated skin is exposed to a visible light, such as blue or laser light. The light activates the solution and selectively destroys the pre-cancerous tissue . As the skin heals, new healthy skin appears. This treatment modality has also been found to be effective for treating acne vulgaris in some patients.
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