If Dr. Banta discovers an abnormality during your skin cancer screening, she may perform a biopsy. This test may involve scraping a few cells from the growth or removing a portion of the growth using a surgical instrument. If needed, she will administer a local anesthetic beforehand. The tissue is examined microscopically in a pathology lab to confirm or rule out skin cancer.
In the event that the biopsy confirms skin cancer, you can explore multiple options for treatment. Current treatments for skin cancer include the following:
Excisional surgery. This office procedure cuts out the growth and a small amount of surrounding tissue.
Mohs micrographic surgery. This office procedure removes layers of tissue in very small sections, preserving a high percentage of healthy tissue while also confirming the complete removal of cancerous cells.
Cryosurgery. This non-surgical treatment involves freezing the abnormal tissue with a special solution.
Shave excision. This minor procedure shaves off the surface of the growth with a small surgical blade.
Curettage and electrodesiccation is an office procedure that cuts abnormal tissue out using a special instrument, then destroys cancer cells using a needle-shaped electrode.
Dermabrasion, This treatment may be performed on superficial skin cancers. This procedure uses a special instrument to rub off the cancerous cells.
Laser surgery. The doctor may use a laser beam to "cut" out cancerous skin cells.
The type of skin cancer treatment that is recommended is based on various characteristics, such as the type of skin cancer that has been found, its location, size, and whether or not cancer cells may have spread. In addition to surgical removal, some skin cancers require radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy to eradicate abnormal cells.