Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
An oncologist will have diagnosed the skin cancer of the patient using such standard cancer diagnostic tools as biopsy of the tumor.
To prepare for surgery, and under certain conditions (such as the location of the skin tumor or health status...
of the patient), antibiotics may be given to the patient prior to the procedure; this is known as prophylactic antibiotic treatment. Patients are encouraged to eat prior to surgery and also to bring along snacks in case the procedure become lengthy. To reduce the risk of bleeding, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol, vitamin E, and fish oil tablets should be avoided prior to the procedure. The patient who uses over-thecounter aspirin or the prescription blood-thinners, brands Coumadin (warfarin, generically) and heparin should consult with the prescribing physician before adjusting the dosage of any drug.
Advertisement
Stents are metal cylinders that can be increased in size to treat various diseases of arteries like atherosclerosis and aneurysm. This animation shows a pericardium covered stent and its uses. The pericardium is actually heart tissue taken from the covering of the heart. This therapy may not yet be widely available or approved in all patients.
Search
Other Information
Mohs surgery, also known as "Chemosurgery", was created by a general surgeon, Dr. Fredrick E. Mohs, is microscopically controlled surgery that is highly effective for common types of skin cancer, with a cure rate cited between 97% and 99% for primary basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, and for squamous cell carcinoma. Recurrent basal cell cancer has a lower cure rate with Mohs surgery, more in the range of 94% It has been used in the removal of melanoma-in-situ (cure rate 77%), and certain types of melanoma (cure rate 52%). Other indications for Mohs surgery include dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, keratoacanthoma' spindle cell tumors, sebaceous carcinomas, microcystic adnexal carcinoma, merkel cell carcinoma, Pagets's disease of the breast, atypical fibroxanthoma, leimyosarcoma, and angiosarcoma. Because the Mohs procedure is micrographically controlled, it provides precise removal of the cancerous tissue, while healthy tissue is spared. Mohs surgery is relatively expensive when compared to other surgical modalities. However, in anatomically important areas (eyelid, nose, lips), tissue sparing and low recurrence rate makes it a procedure of choice by many physicians.
Find a Qualified Specialist
Looking for a specialist?
Please enter your zip code.