Surgical Dermatology
Surgical Dermatology Services – Serving the South Metro
Sometimes removing a skin growth is the best treatment option for either a malignant or benign growth. Our medical team carefully examines, tests, and removes concerning skin tissue to help keep your skin healthy. Not all dermatologists are surgeons. Dr. Zabel is professionally trained as a skilled surgeon including Mohs surgery.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a clinical diagnostic tool used to determine the medical diagnosis of a skin sample. At Center for Dermatology, your dermatology medical provider will remove a small piece of the skin to be further examined under a microscope by a dermatopathologist. There are a variety of biopsy techniques that can be used. The decision on which type of biopsy technique to use varies, based on the location, size and depth of the skin being sampled. While it may sound scary, a biopsy is the best diagnostic tool for a skin lesion. Biopsies are performed every day by dermatology professionals at Center for Dermatology, so you are in capable hands. Results take 7-10 days to be returned. Once the results are available, follow-up care can be determined.
Surgical Excision
A surgical excision removes a previously biopsied skin lesion, tissue, or growth, based on the pathology results found from the biopsy. Both Dr. Robert Zabel, DO, and Sheila Cavallaro, PA-C perform surgical excisions at Center for Dermatology. The complexity of a surgical excision varies based on the type, size and location of the lesion being removed. A surgical excision can be performed on a benign lesion, or a malignant lesion, including a melanoma. Dr Zabel performs the majority of surgical excisions at Center for Dermatology. Surgical excision can be performed on non-biopsied lesions such as cysts, lipomas, or dermatofibromas. To determine if surgical excision is right for this type of lesion, medical assessment and evaluation must first be completed by one of our medical providers.
Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C)
An ED&C scrapes away malignant skin tissue. An ED&C is most often used to treat biopsy-proven surface-level skin cancers.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is used to treat benign and precancerous lesions. This treatment uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy skin tissue. This technique is commonly used to treat warts and keratoses for both medical and cosmetic reasons.
Topical Chemotherapy
Topical Chemotherapy is a prescription medication. Dermatology professionals prescribe this medication to patients for treatment of specific precancerous and cancerous growths. Patients apply the medication as directed to destroy precancerous and cancerous growths.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is a very delicate and specific type of surgery. Mohs surgeons must be trained to perform this type of surgery. Dr. Robert Zabel, DO is an experienced Mohs surgeon, who has been providing this service to his patients for more than 15 years. Mohs micrographic surgery is used to treat aggressive or recurrent skin cancers. During this surgery, the lesion is removed along with a very thin layer of skin tissue, which is immediately frozen, stained, and microscopically examined for skin cancer cells. With this delicate procedure, only the cancerous tissue is removed, preserving as much of the surrounding skin as possible. Once the cancer is completely removed, the procedure is completed with the most cosmetically appealing result. Mohs is most often used to treat basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma skin cancers and has a 99% cure rate. Mohs surgery is not used to remove all skin cancers. The determination for using Mohs surgery is based on many specific medical factors.
Examples of lesions often treated with dermatologic surgery:
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atypical moles
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benign lesions such as cysts, dermatofibromas, lipomas, seborrheic keratoses
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pre-cancerous lesions (actinic keratosis)
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skin cancer
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basal cell carcinoma
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squamous cell carcinoma
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malignant melanoma
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viral lesions such as molluscum or warts
