Skin Cancer Removal: Why Early Detection and Surgery Can Save Your Life

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or skin color. But even though it’s common and many people make full recoveries following a skin cancer diagnosis, it can still be deadly.

About 20 Americans die from melanoma every day, and the five-year survival rate for melanoma that spreads to other organs and distant lymph nodes is just 35%. The key to protecting yourself? Early detection and prompt treatment.

Regular skin checks — both at home and with a dermatologist — are your best defense against skin cancer, because early treatment is most effective. By spotting suspicious changes early, you can prevent the cancer from advancing and significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Elvira Klause, MD, FACS, and our team are here to help. We specialize in surgical dermatology and oncology procedures. Here’s what you need to know about how early detection and surgery could save your life.

The importance of early detection

Skin cancer often starts with small, subtle changes in your skin. These changes can look like unusual moles, new growths, or persistent sores that don’t heal. Although they might seem harmless at first, they could really be basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma.

Left alone, cancerous cells multiply and spread, making it more challenging to remove and increasing your risk of complications. Regular skin checks help identify these changes before they spread, making treatment simpler and more effective.

Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (the two most common types of skin cancer) are very treatable when they’re detected early. The five-year survival rate of melanoma that hasn’t spread to lymph nodes is 94%.

A skin cancer diagnosis can be scary, but knowing gives you the power to take action. Dr. Klause and our team offer a number of different skin cancer surgeries, and we can help you make the best decision for your situation.

What to expect with skin cancer surgery

Surgical procedures are among the most reliable ways to remove skin cancer. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, Dr. Klause may recommend one of these common approaches:

Excision surgery

Excision is a straightforward procedure that’s effective for many of the most common types of skin cancer. It involves removing the cancerous lesion along with a margin of healthy tissue. We do this to ensure all cancer cells are removed and to preserve as much surrounding skin as possible.

Curettage and electrodesiccation

Curettage and electrodesiccation is a minimally invasive procedure that we use for smaller, less aggressive skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma. Dr. Klause scrapes away the cancerous tissue with a curette, then she treats the area with an electric current to destroy any remaining cells.

No matter the type of skin cancer you have, early intervention not only improves the success rate of treatment but also minimizes scarring and the need for more invasive procedures. 

Whether you need a biopsy for a suspicious lesion or surgical removal of a confirmed diagnosis, we’re here to provide expert care tailored to your needs.

Do you want to learn more about regular skin checks or discuss your options for skin cancer surgery? Book a consultation with Dr. Klause online, or call our Laguna Hills, California, office at 949-245-6910 and take control of your skin health.