Affecting more than one million people in the U.S. every year, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. When caught early, it is treatable, but may leave your skin with unwanted scars. Seeking a skilled skin cancer surgeon in Torrance, California, can help maintain the integrity of your skin.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sherif Khattab specializes in the latest skin cancer removal techniques. Whether you’ve been officially diagnosed with skin cancer or are concerned about a questionable lesion, Dr. Khattab has the education and training to help.
Skin cancer happens when the DNA in skin cells is damaged, often (but not always) by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This can cause mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth, resulting in the formation of malignant tumors. If left unchecked, these abnormal cells can multiply and invade the surrounding tissue, potentially spreading to other parts of the body.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with skin cancer should consider removal surgery. Skin cancer removal surgery can be used for:
As a general rule, the best candidates for skin cancer removal are otherwise healthy and have realistic expectations. Dr. Khattab will be able to determine if removal is necessary for you following an initial consultation.
Consultation: In order to determine if you are a good candidate for skin cancer removal, you will need to be honest and upfront about every aspect of your health. Your consultation will include a physical examination in Torrance, California, as well as an in-depth discussion of your medical history and cosmetic goals. This information will help Dr. Khattab determine if skin cancer removal is the right choice for you.
Procedure: For basic lesions, surgical removal using a small incision can be performed under a local anesthetic. An incision is made around the lesion so that it can then be removed. The incision is then closed using fine sutures.
More advanced techniques, such as skin or tissue grafts, may be needed to reconstruct large wounds. During these procedures, a portion of healthy tissue is removed from a donor site on your body and transplanted to the treatment area. In most cases, donor tissue is taken from a location that can be concealed under clothing.
Recovery: Immediately following treatment, your skin will be swollen, red, and likely draining fluid. Surgical drains may be used to collect this excess fluid. You may experience some discomfort for several days in the treatment area, which can be managed with pain medication. Bandages are removed in a few days, and stitches in one week.
You should be able to resume normal activities in one or two days. More extensive procedures will require some additional downtime. These details will be discussed during your consultation.
Results: Once the skin cancer has been removed, the healed skin should match the area around it and create a natural, smooth appearance. When at all possible, incision lines will be hidden within the natural contours of your body.
Following skin cancer surgery in Torrance, CA, it is still possible for skin cancer to return in the same region or another area of your body. For this reason, you should wear sunscreen and protect your skin from direct sun exposure. You should also get regular checkups with your dermatologist.
Dr. Khattab, Angie, & Office Staff
“Thank you so much for the wonderful care and kindness, & patience you all have shown me. I felt so comfortable from the first office visit until after the treatment you are wonderful. I’m so glad to have you, I feel so much sexier and more beautiful, more like a woman because of your help thank you for helping make all this possible, and thank you for attending to my special needs.”
The price of a skin cancer treatment will depend on the nature of your condition and the surgical techniques necessary to promote a healthy outcome. During your consultation, our expert staff can help you navigate the cost of care and answer questions concerning insurance coverage and financing.
If you’re ready to learn more about skin cancer treatments in Torrance, CA, call 310.325.2100 to inquire about a consultation with Dr. Khattab. Beyond Beautiful is located at 23365 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 102, in Torrance, CA. Since 1988, we have provided excellent care to patients from nearby Torrance, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, and beyond.
