What should you know about surgical excision of skin cancer?

After numbing the area, the surgeon removes the lesion and a rim of nearby skin selected for the suspected cancer and its location. The wound may be closed with stitches or may need a graft or flap. The specimen is examined to identify the cancer type and whether abnormal cells reach the edges. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma can require different planning.

Mohs surgery is a separate technique that checks tissue edges during the operation and may suit selected cancers in areas where conserving healthy skin matters. Mole removal is not the same as treating a confirmed skin cancer.

Tell the clinic about blood thinners, supplements, allergies, diabetes, smoking, and earlier scar problems. Follow the dressing and cleansing instructions exactly. Mild tenderness, bruising, swelling, or crusting can occur. Avoid stretching the wound until cleared, protect it from sunlight, and do not apply antibiotic or cosmetic products unless advised. Keep the result appointment because the pathology report determines whether the edges are clear and what monitoring is needed.

Contact the clinic if bleeding persists after pressure, pain suddenly worsens, redness spreads, the wound opens, drainage becomes thick or foul-smelling, or fever develops. Get urgent help for uncontrolled bleeding, faintness, breathing difficulty, or rapidly increasing swelling. During later checks, report a new spot, persistent crust, bleeding, or a firm change around the scar.

Ask which cancer is suspected, how much tissue may be removed, how the wound will close, when the report will arrive, whether further treatment could be needed, and how often the skin should be examined.