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Skin Cancer

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a plastic surgeon can be performing reconstructive procedures like skin cancer removal, which Dr. Paul Gill performs in his Houston practice to remove cancerous tissues from patients' bodies.

If You're Considering Skin Cancer Surgery

Skin cancer surgery techniques can vary, but the technique performed most often is the Mohs technique, which was named after its American inventor. In this process, Dr. Gill will remove cancerous tissue layer by layer, examining it closely. Regularly used to remove basal and squamous cell carcinomas, which are the most common types of skin cancer, Mohs surgery limits the amount of healthy tissue that will need to be removed. The Mohs technique boasts very high cure rates: 96 to 99 percent of cancers treated with this procedure do not return.

Though Mohs surgery may not be ideal for treating advanced forms of cancer, it can be used to treat recurring cancers on patients who are otherwise healthy and are nonsmokers.

What to Expect from Surgery

For your surgery, which may take less than four hours to complete on an outpatient basis, depending on your case, you will be given a local anesthetic. Once Dr. Gill has determined the area of tissue to be removed, he will remove the first layers and closely examine them under a microscope. If he finds cancerous cells, he will remove more tissue. This continues until no more cancerous tissue is found. Once all cancerous cells are removed, the wound will be cauterized and may be closed with dissolvable sutures and a graft or flap and covered with a dressing and surgical tape.

Recovering from Skin Cancer Surgery

After your procedure, you are likely to experience swelling and discomfort and may be prescribed medication to manage pain. You will wear a bandage for up to two weeks and should avoid strenuous activity during that time. You may also need to return to Dr. Gill's office for check-ups and possible future procedures to fully eradicate cancerous tissue. You should continue to monitor the treatment site and report any changes to Dr. Gill. There is a chance the cancer may return in the same or even an adjacent area of tissue.

To learn more about skin cancer surgery as performed by plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Gill, we encourage you to contact his Houston office to set up a consultation. We are conveniently located in the Houston metro area and routinely meet with patients from The Woodlands, Conroe and Kingwood, Texas.