Why am i being told i need a plastic surgeon to treat my squamous cell cancer on my ankle?

Something Special: More than likely, your cancer is larger than you have extra skin for an easy closure. For these cancers, an operation such as a skin graft or a skin flap may be necessary. Plastic surgeons are specialists in skin closure and have extensive knowledge of options and techniques. Good luck.

Why not ask : The person who told you? It is possible the amount of skin being removed will create a large defect and a plastic surgeon specializes in creative ways to close open wounds via flaps, grafts etc.

Special repair: May require a special type of repair ie...Flap etc that plastic surgeons are trained to perform.

Reconstruction: As a plastic surgeon, i perform skin grafts, flap repairs, and other complex wound closures to treat the defects left behind after excision of skin cancer. You may need that type of reconstruction for your ankle.

Size?: In difficult locations like this, mohs surgery might be worth pursuing. It has a higher cure rate than standard excision and may leave you with a smaller defect (hole left from removing the tumor) to repair, and may allow you to avoid a flap or graft.