Skin cancer is the most common and increasingly common type of cancer in our country and in the world. Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of race, skin color, age and gender. Skin cancer can occur in any part of the body. 80% of skin cancers occur on the face, head or neck area. Most of these cancers are treated by plastic surgeons. If the lesion is small, it can be treated immediately on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and the patient can return to daily life. In most cases, results that can be achieved even with make-up are achieved without leaving any obvious scars.
- What types of skin cancers can plastic surgeons remove?
Although almost most skin cancers can be removed surgically, the treatment protocol is determined depending on the location, type and stage of the mass in your body. A definitive diagnosis is made by removing all small lesions and sending them for pathological examination. In large lesions, diagnosis is made and treatment is performed after a partial piece, which we call a biopsy, is taken and pathological examination is performed. Plastic surgeons can treat all types of cancer listed below:
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): It is the most common and least dangerous. It progresses very slowly and rarely spreads.
>Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC):It is the second most common cancer of the skin. It often occurs on the lips, face or ears. It may spread distantly.
Malignant melanoma:It is the least common but most dangerous type of skin cancer. If it is not treated, it will spread throughout the body and become life-threatening.
- Your plastic surgeon may also treat other skin lesions:
Moles: They can be flat or raised on the skin surface as dark clusters. While most of them are not dangerous, some, especially those with mottled colors and irregular edges, may develop into malignant melanoma. In fact, moles are often removed for cosmetic purposes or to prevent irritation due to clothing or friction.
Keratoses: They are hard brown or red patches of skin on the skin surface found in places exposed to the sun. Sometimes they are removed. They can turn into a squamous cell type of cancer.
- What should I expect after the interview?
The first step for a patient who is suspected or diagnosed with cancer is to meet with your doctor. During this meeting, the doctor examines your skin and general health condition.
Basal and squamous cell cancers have different shapes. and they may be in the image. They often present as one of the following conditions:
• Small, white or pink nodule or bump;
• Hard, dry or scaly as a red spot;
• Hard, red protrusion and in the form of a group of nodules or clusters;
• 2-4 weeks Bleeding wound that does not heal and wound that heals and recurs;
• They can be observed as a scar, slightly sunken or raised on the skin surface.
- How to detect skin cancer?
First of all, a preliminary diagnosis of the existing lesion is made through clinical examination. Usually, one of the types of cancer we call BCC or SCC is diagnosed. Removal of the cancerous cell varies depending on its type, stage and location. The plastic surgeon removes the part that is growing and causing the main problem in the most aesthetic way possible. If the cancer is small, it can be removed by surgical excision, leaving a very thin, indistinct scar. If this lesion is large enough to be removed at once and will not cause any aesthetic problems after removal, a procedure called excisional biopsy is performed. Excisional biopsy, that is, surgical removal of the mass, can be performed under local anesthesia. The patient immediately returns to his daily life. The removed piece is sent for pathological examination. Following pathology results, treatment is considered complete and further treatment is performed if necessary. In this case, a thin scar in the form of a line is often left.
If the suspected cancerous area is large or has spread to the lymph nodes, more complicated surgery may be required. In this case, to confirm the diagnosis, a small piece of the lesion, which we call incisional biopsy, is taken and sent for pathological examination. If the diagnosis is cancer, all the cancerous tissue must be removed. In this case, the cancerous tissue is removed extensively. Then, this area is treated with a skin patch, which we call grafting, or a tissue shift, which we call a flap. It is closed with. With these techniques, the area where the cancer was removed is treated and regains a good appearance and function. Depending on my condition, further treatments may be required.
- How will I be cared for on the day of the procedure?
Most skin cancer removals are performed under local anesthesia in the doctor's office. In advanced cases, the procedure can be performed under general anesthesia. Your doctor will give you information about the best and safest anesthesia option.
- How will I look and feel after the procedure?
After the treatment, the area may experience some edema or swelling. Initially, the scar may be pink or red in color. This will disappear over time and may become unnoticeable. If complex tissue transfer such as a skin graft flap is performed, the healing time takes longer than simple excision. For a proper recovery, you should carefully follow your doctor's post-treatment instructions.
treatment and treatment
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