At The Doral Dermatology Clinic, we can begin helping you plan your treatment as soon as a diagnosis is confirmed. We use several methods to destroy the cancer cells, and the best option for you will depend on the BCC’s size, location, and sub-type. Our team will also consider your age, medical history, and health status before recommending the best course of action. Procedures for treating BCCs are usually minor, and you shouldn’t feel much discomfort during your treatment.
We often carry out surgical treatment for BCC at The Doral Dermatology Clinic. These procedures are:
Excision : This procedure has a very high success rate. We will use a scalpel to remove the cancerous tissue before closing the wound with sutures. This is usually done under local anesthesia to ensure you remain comfortable during treatment.
Curettage and cautery: If you have a superficial BCC, it’s worth considering curettage and cautery. During this procedure, we will gently use a curette to scrape off the tumor. This will cause bleeding, but this is stopped using electrocautery. The curettage and cautery method is carried out under local anesthetic and can be just as effective as excision in successfully removing the cancerous cells.
Cryosurgery: We will apply cold liquid nitrogen to the lesion during cryosurgery to destroy the cancerous cells. This type of treatment is effective if you have a superficial BCC. You may be invited back to the clinic for review and possible repeat treatment to ensure all the cancerous tissue is removed.
Mohs micrographic surgery: Suppose the BCC is located near your eyes, nose, or mouth. In that case, we may recommend this as the most appropriate treatment, particularly if it’s difficult to determine the edge of the lesion. The procedure involves removing the skin layer within the BCC. Next, the specimen will be frozen and examined under a microscope to ensure the BCC has been removed entirely.
In some cases, BCC can be treated without surgery. For example, if your BCC is superficial, you could benefit from applying an Imiquimod topical cream. This treatment has a high success rate; all you need to do is rub the cream onto the lesion five times a week for around six weeks. Our dermatologists might recommend an alternative topical cream called 5-Fluorouracil. The success rate is similar to Imiqimod, but you’ll need to apply the cream twice a day for around one month.
Melanomas sometimes occur in an existing mole on the skin. However, more than 50 percent of the time, melanomas appear as a new mole. They can be nodular and sometimes ulcerate or bleed.
1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212
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