Skin cancer

Skin cancer

Not all skin cancers are the same. The 3 most common types include basal cell carcinoma, sqaumous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. When dealing with skin cancer, the absolute first priority is your health and the complete removal of the disease. However, because skin cancers frequently occur in highly visible areas like the face, nose, ears, and neck, the resulting scar is a major concern. As plastic surgeons, we are experts in not only completely excising the skin cancer, but meticulously reconstructing the tissue left behind. Our goal is to ensure you are safely cancer-free while preserving your natural appearance and minimizing visible scarring.

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Before & After Photos

Before

After

Patient 01

Patient Number

142039

Description

Timeline Timeline Surgeon Surgeon

Before

After

Patient 02

Patient Number

142040

Description

Timeline Timeline Surgeon Surgeon

Before

After

Patient 03

Patient Number

142041

Description

Timeline Timeline Surgeon Surgeon

Before

After

Patient 04

Patient Number

142042

Description

Timeline Timeline Surgeon Surgeon

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What to expect

Pre-op

Before Surgery

Click here to learn more about what to expect during consultation.

Who is a good candidate?

• Patients with a suspicious looking lesion or biopsy-proven lesion
• Patients with enough soft tissue for reconstruction
• Realistic expectations

How to Prepare for Surgery

• You may need to do bloodwork and additional tests
• Stop smoking for 4-6 weeks
• Avoid herbal supplements for 2 weeks
• Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatories for 1 week
• Ask whether you need to hold certain medications before surgery

Risk & Complications

Procedure

On the Day of Surgery

Click here to learn what to expect on the day of your operation.

Anesthesia

• Local

Duration of Surgery

• 30 minutes

Incisions

• Varies depending on the location of the surgery

Post-op

After Surgery

Click here to learn what to expect with your recovery and long-term results.

Wound care

• You will be given a dressing to keep dry for 3-5 days. After, you may remove the outer dressing and wash with soap and water.

Sutures

• Removed within 1-2 weeks

Return to light work

• 1-2 weeks

Return to regular activity or exercise

• 3-4 weeks

Please follow all of the specific instructions given to you and attend your follow-up appointment as arranged.

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Frequently Asked Questions.

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For many skin cancers on the body or limbs, Dr. Mahoney and Dr. Yeung will personally excise (remove) the cancer along with a safety margin of healthy tissue, and seamlessly reconstruct the area in a single visit. For complex or high-risk cancers on the face, nose, or ears, you may be referred to a Mohs Dermatologist, who removes the cancer layer by layer until you are 100% cancer-free and then reconstructs thereafter.

If a large amount of tissue must be removed to clear the cancer, we cannot simply pull the wound edges together. We must reconstruct the area using either a local flap or skin graft. A local flap uses adjacent, healthy skin and slides or rotates it over the defect, whereas a skin graft involves taking a thin patch of skin from a hidden donor site (like behind the ear or the collarbone) and use it to "patch" the defect.

Almost never. Skin cancer excision and reconstruction are safely, comfortably, and routinely performed under local anesthesia. We will carefully numb the area so you feel absolutely no pain—only slight pressure. You will be awake and relaxed, meaning you avoid the grogginess of general anesthesia and can go home immediately after the procedure.

If we perform a standard excision, the tissue is sent to a specialized laboratory to be examined under a microscope. It typically takes 3-4 weeks for the final pathology report to confirm that the "margins are clear" (meaning 100% of the cancer was successfully removed).

If the initial pathology report shows that microscopic cancer cells reach the very edge of the removed tissue (a "positive margin"), we will simply remove a little bit more tissue to ensure your absolute safety. Once clear margins are achieved, true recurrences in the exact same surgical spot are quite rare, though you will need regular, lifelong skin checks with your dermatologist to monitor for new spots.