May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and that makes it a good time to think about what kind of doctor to see for treatment if you develop a skin cancer.  There are several types of specialists who are well-qualified to remove skin cancers and achieve an acceptable cure rate.  The question is, who will get you the best result?

Some skin cancers have an appearance that is obvious to a well-trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon.  Others require a biopsy to make the diagnosis.  Clearly the skin cancer has to be treated, but by whom?

Plastic Surgeons are uniquely qualified to put things back together again in a manner that leaves the best looking result.  They do this by making the incision in a direction that will leave the least noticeable scar.  There are natural lines on the face and body, and when a scar is parallel to one of those lines, it is not as noticeable as one that runs in a different direction. To get the best results, it is important, if possible, to remove a cancer and close the wound so that the scar will run in the best direction.

Plastic surgeons are known for sewing up wounds very carefully.  They use underneath stitches to hold things together, so there is the least tension possible on the skin stitches.  They use very small skin stitches, placed closely together, which, combined with the underneath stitches, makes it less likely that there will be stitch marks.

 In addition, plastic surgeons can also use local flaps to move nearby skin around.  That helps leave a shorter, less conspicuous scar, and in some cases makes it possible to close a wound without needing to use a skin graft.  However, if a skin graft is needed, plastic surgeons try to use skin that resembles the skin in the affected area.  Skin grafts and other flaps are also used to close larger defects when the sides cannot be easily brought together.

Skin cancer surgery by a plastic surgeon is now available in Hannibal, and is usually covered by insurance.  People who want the best results possible no longer have to travel to Columbia or St. Louis.  For more information about plastic surgery services or to schedule an appointment, contact Hannibal Regional Medical Group at (573) 629-3500.

By: Schuyler C. Metlis M.D.
Hannibal Regional Medical Group