A 43-year-old member asked:
what are risks of a non-melanoma skin cancer excision?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Gurmukh Singh answered
Pathology 49 years experience
Depends on site: Excision necessitates removal of the lesion and a rim of health tissue, therefore the complications depend on the site and size of the lesion to be excised. Since a large number of skin cancers occur on the face or nearby, cosmetic issues are a concern.
5784 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Lawrence Hochman answered
Radiation Oncology 31 years experience
Depends on location: Surgical removal of skin cancers is effective and the risks are associated with the size and location. Bleeding, infection and poor cosmetic outcome are all risks. Delayed healing in areas of poor blood flow is also a risk. Other treatments such as radiation can be successful as well with similar results and better cosmetic outcomes.
5782 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Ally-Khan Somani answered
Dermatology 19 years experience
Risks include:: 1) 100% risk of scar; 2) risk of tumor recurrence; 3) risk of bleeding/hematoma formation; 4) risk of infection; 5) risk of dehiscence (wound opens up after being sutured). Make sure if your cancer is in a cosmetically sensitive area you have it treated by a mohs micrographic surgeon (www.Mohscollege.Org). Mohs surgery provides the highest cure and lowest recurrence.
5780 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
What is melanoma skin cancer?
7 doctor answers • 22 doctors weighed in

Dr. Mike Bowman answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 19 years experience
An aggressive cancer: Melanoma skin cancer arises from the pigment cells in the skin. The larges risk factor is sun exposure. It is scary because even a small primary tumor sometimes metastasizes and becomes deadly. Read about the abcd's of melanoma detection at www.Melanomafoundation.Org.
6260 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Houma, LA
A 17-year-old male asked:
How common is melanoma skin cancer?
4 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Liawaty Ho answered
Hematology and Oncology 23 years experience
21 per 100k people: 21 per 100000 men and women per year. It is estimated 76, 690 new cases and 9480 deaths in 2013 due to melanoma.
5236 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Which oral medication is available for melanoma skin cancer?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Otto Placik answered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Vemurafenib: This was approved in 2011 by the fda and the value of this interacting your particular situation would be discussed with your oncologist.
5198 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
What exactly is the treatments for melanoma skin cancer?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Otto Placik answered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
#1is Surgery: Surgical excision is usually the preferred method of treatment but many other options exist based on the extent and location of disease.
5150 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
What exactly is non-melanoma skin cancer?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Hassan Arshad answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 16 years experience
Other skin cancer: that means the 2 more common skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
3220 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated May 30, 2013
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