Skin Cancer Excision

For skin cancers that do not require Mohs surgery, a standard skin cancer excision is usually performed. A rim of normal tissue is excised along with the skin cancer itself under local anesthesia, and the tissue is sent out to a laboratory for analysis. The hole that remains after the excision is then closed (reconstructive surgery) with layered sutures. The test results from the laboratory, which may take approximately one to two weeks, will indicate whether the cancer is completely removed. If the skin cancer is completely removed, there is no further surgery required. If the skin cancer remains, additional surgery will be performed until the skin cancer is completely out.