Skin Cancer Excision: An Overview
Standard surgical excision involves removing the cancerous lesion with appropriate margins to ensure complete treatment. The specimen is sent for pathological evaluation to confirm clearance. Dr. Shomorony plans excisions with reconstruction in mind from the outset. Incisions are designed along natural facial contours and relaxed skin tension lines whenever possible. This forward planning supports refined healing and balanced contour.
Commonly treated conditions include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma in situ, and other concerning or suspicious facial lesions. A diagnosis like this can feel unsettling. The first priority is always complete and careful removal of the cancer. At the same time, when treatment involves the face, appearance and identity matter deeply. Surgical planning reflects both, thorough both medical care and thoughtful restoration.
Mohs Reconstruction
Mohs surgery is a specialized dermatologic technique that removes cancer layer by layer while examining margins under a microscope. Once the cancer has been cleared, reconstruction addresses the remaining defect. Defects following Mohs surgery can range from small surface openings to deeper structural involvement. Reconstruction may require layered closure, local tissue rearrangement, advancement or rotational flaps, or structural support in delicate areas such as the nose, eyelids, or lips. The objective is seamless restoration, protecting function while preserving facial harmony.
Skin Cancer and Mohs Reconstruction at Shomorony Facial Plastic Surgery
Facial reconstruction is not simply wound closure; it is controlled reshaping. Dr. Shomorony evaluates defect size, depth, surrounding tissue availability, and functional structures before determining the most appropriate repair. High-visibility and high-mobility areas—including the eyelids, nasal tip, lips, cheeks, and ears—receive particularly careful planning. The goal is natural integration. Ideally, movement should remain smooth, contour should appear uninterrupted, and expression should not feel altered in any way.
Expected Outcomes
- Complete removal of malignant or suspicious tissue: When excision is performed directly, margins are carefully planned and verified through pathology.
- Restored contour and proportion: Reconstruction aims to blend with surrounding anatomy rather than draw attention.
- Preserved facial function: Eyelid closure, lip motion, and nasal airflow are protected.
- Thoughtful scar placement: Incisions are designed to heal as discreetly as possible.
- Confidence moving forward: For many patients, restoration after cancer treatment is an important part of emotional recovery.
Recovery and Healing
Recovery depends on the size and location of the excision or reconstruction. Swelling and bruising are expected in the early days and generally improve within one to two weeks. Sutures are removed according to the specific area treated and the quality of tissue healing. Scar remodeling continues quietly over several months. As swelling resolves and tissue settles, contour refines and the repair blends more naturally with surrounding skin. When Mohs surgery has been performed by a dermatologic specialist, care is coordinated thoughtfully. Communication between physicians ensures continuity and clarity. You are not navigating this process alone—your treatment is part of a structured plan focused on complete cancer care and careful restoration.
Follow-up visits are scheduled deliberately to assess healing, protect function, and guide scar maturation. Adjustments or supportive therapies may be recommended if they would enhance recovery.
