Δερματολογια – Πλαστικη Χειρουργικη
Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer Removal
100% safety in the complete removal of skin cancer
| Treatment Time | 2 - 6 hours |
| Duration of Result | Permanent |
| Pain Level | Absolutely Tolerable |
| Anaesthesia | Local Anaesthesia |
| Treatment Cost | From 500€ |
| Result is Visible | Immediately |
| Recovery Time | Within 1 week |
Πριν και Μετά από Δερματικό Καρκίνο
1 out of 4 visits to a Dermatologist during the year are for the control of some suspicious mole or other mark on the skin!
What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is a malignant growth that develops from abnormal skin cells and is mainly caused by excessive exposure to sun. There are three main types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Melanoma . Knowing and understanding the different forms of skin cancer and their characteristics is vital for early and accurate diagnosis of cancer, as well as its effective treatment.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
The (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, as 90% of skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas. It is a slow-growing cancer that originates from the cells of the basal layer of the epidermis, hence its name Basal Cell Carcinoma. Basal Cell Carcinoma is usually caused by excessive exposure to the sun's UV radiation and is most common in people between the ages of 50 and 70.
Although it grows slowly and very rarely metastasizes, it must be treated immediately after its diagnosis, because if its surgical removal is delayed, it destroys the tissues topically in great depth, often reaching even the bones. It mainly appears on the face and especially in the area of the nose and its initial appearance is in the form of a red papule that gradually grows. The most common symptom is an open wound, which does not heal, may bleed from time to time and remains open for more than 3 weeks.
The correct diagnosis is made by a skin examination from a qualified Dermatologist and checking of the suspected lesion by Dermoscopy. In case the lesion is typical and characteristic, the Dermatologist makes a clinical diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma and the surgical removal of the lesion should follow with MOHS Surgery, which is the best treatment for skin cancer removal.
In case that the suspected lesion is not typical and characteristic during Dermoscopy, in order for the Dermatologist to safely make the correct diagnosis, a small area of the lesion should be biopsied and this small piece of tissue should be sent to the laboratory to make a histological diagnosis.
Types of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Nodular (pink nodule): appears as a skin-coloured or slightly red nodular swelling. It needs surgical removal for its definitive treatment.
Ulcerated (like a sore that doesn’t heal): a red lesion that looks like an ulcer and often bleeds. It needs surgical removal for its definitive treatment.
Pigmented (looks like a dark mole): and because of its colour, it is often confused with melanoma. It needs surgical removal for its definitive treatment.
Morphoeic (looks like a white scar): looks like a hard white plaque and may take several years to become visible and properly diagnosed. It needs surgical removal for its definitive treatment.
Superficial (looks like an eczema or psoriasis lesion): this is a red, slightly raised plaque with adherent scales and is the only subtype of BCC that can also be treated with local treatments (diathermy, cryotherapy, topical creams), without surgical removal.
Transplant patients are about 100 times
more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma SCC!
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is a malignant tumour arising from the squamous cells of the epidermis, hence the name Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Unlike Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), it carries a greater risk of metastases, mainly in the local lymph nodes and if left untreated, in distant organs such as the lungs and the liver.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma can occur either de novo on healthy skin or arise from an actinic hyperkeratosis (which is considered a precancerous lesion) that has been left untreated and turned into cancer. Squamous Cell Carcinoma can occur in any area of the skin (including the mucosa of the mouth and genitals).
But it is most often found in areas of the skin that are exposed to sunlight, such as the nose, forehead, lips and dorsum of hands. It can also appear in areas that have been previously sunburned, exposed to chemicals, or have been irradiated with radiation therapy for medical reasons.
It is also a type of skin cancer that often occurs in transplant and immunocompromised patients, therefore these patients should have their skin checked regularly every 6 months. Squamous Cell Carcinoma appears as a red hard nodule or ulcer, which may bleed or be covered with scab.
The correct diagnosis is made by skin examination from a Dermatologist and checking of the suspected lesion by Dermoscopy. In case the lesion is very typical and characteristic, the Dermatologist makes a clinical diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the surgical removal of the lesion should follow with MOHS Surgery, which is the gold standard in the removal of skin cancer. In case the suspected lesion is not typical and characteristic during Dermoscopy, biopsy and histological diagnosis should be performed first, followed by the surgical removal afterwards.
In the last decade (2013 – 2023), the annual number of new cases diagnosed
with invasive Melanoma increased by 27%.
Melanoma is a malignant tumour that originates from the melanocytes of the skin, hence its name. Melanocytes are responsible for the colour of our skin and the formation of moles. Although it is the least common type of skin cancer, it is responsible for 80% of skin cancer deaths. It is an extremely aggressive type of cancer which metastasizes to lymph nodes and distant organs, thus making early diagnosis and treatment vital.
Factors such as sun exposure, intense and frequent childhood burns, solarium use, genetic predisposition and fair skin, increase the risk of melanoma. Melanoma , unlike other types of skin cancer that usually affects older people, often occurs in younger people and is the second most common cancer in people aged 15 - 34. It appears most commonly on the back, arms, legs and face and less often on the genitals, nails and feet.
In men it appears mainly on the back, while in women on the lower limbs. Clinically, melanoma usually presents with a change in size, shape and colour of an already existing mole. However, it can also appear de novo as a new mole, which is black, dark in colour and generally has an "abnormal appearance" of the ugly duckling spot. Its quick diagnosis literally saves lives and for this reason it is necessary for all of us to be well informed about the importance of self-examination of our skin, with the ABCDE rule.
The ABCDE rule
The "ABCDE" rule, is based on the following characteristics:
A (Asymmetry)
The shape of one half of the mole does not match the other half of the mole
B (Borders)
The borders are indistinct and uneven rather than smooth
C (Colour)
There is unevenness in colour, with many colours together
D (Diameter)
The diameter is usually greater than 6 millimetres (mm) or the mole has increased in size in a relatively short period of time
E (Evolution)
The mole is evolving and changes in size, shape, colour or appearance
If you detect any of the above changes in a mole, talk to a qualified Dermatologist immediately.
The correct diagnosis is made by skin examination by a Dermatologist and checking of the suspected lesion by Dermoscopy. In case the lesion is very typical and characteristic , the Dermatologist makes a clinical diagnosis of Melanoma and the surgical removal of the entire lesion should follow (SOS in pigmented lesions with suspicion of melanoma it is forbidden to biopsy only a single part of the lesion - the whole lesion should be removed entirely), in order to make an accurate histological diagnosis of melanoma and especially its degree of infiltration (Breslow Thickness).
In case that the suspected lesion is not typical and is not characteristic during Dermoscopy, in order for the Dermatologist to safely diagnose a Melanoma, surgical removal of the entire suspected lesion should be performed (SOS not just a part of it with biopsy) to make a correct histological diagnosis. There are cases of melanomas with serious consequences for these patients, in which a correct approach was not taken from the beginning by qualified Dermatologists or even better Dermatologic Surgeons and in which only a part of the pigmented lesion was biopsied. In these cases the possibility of a correct histological classification of the Melanoma was lost (based on the degree of infiltration - Breslow Thickness), which is necessary for the correct subsequent treatment of melanoma.
That’s why it is extremely important which Doctor you trust from the beginning. The best Doctor for the correct diagnosis of skin cancers is either a certified MOHS Surgeon or a Dermatologic Surgeon with extensive experience in skin cancer surgery.
Actinic Hyperkeratosis (Precancerous Lesion)
These are the most common precancerous lesions in the skin of elderly people. They usually occur in the form of erythematous or brown spots or plaques, which have a roughness to the touch and dry skin from the scales attached to their surface. They are usually multiple and sometimes itchy. They typically appear on sun-exposed areas of the body, in people over the age of 50 and usually in fair skin, due to people's chronic exposure to solar UV radiation. They most commonly appear on the face, ears, lips and dorsal surface of the hands. If not diagnosed early and left untreated, they have a 10% chance of developing into Squamous Cell Carcinomas.
What are the predisposing factors for the development of skin cancer?
- Ultraviolet Radiation
- Phenotypic Characteristics
- Heredity
- Solarium
- Radiodermatitis
- Post-Burn Scars
- Immunosuppression
- Daily Occupations
Ultraviolet Radiation: Intense and chronic sun exposure during childhood and adolescence, especially when accompanied by frequent sunburns, is considered the most important factor.
The Phenotypic Characteristics of the Person: People with fair skin colour, blond hair and freckles, have less melanin in their skin and consequently burn easily in the sun and have a higher chance of developing skin cancers.
Heredity: People with a family history of melanoma have an increased risk due to genetic predisposition. It has been proven that the appearance of skin cancer, in addition to the external factors, is also due to hereditary factors. More specifically, people whose parents or siblings had skin cancer are more likely to develop it themselves. This genetic link applies to all types of skin cancer, including melanoma.
Solarium: According to a study by the World Health Organization, people who have used SunBeds at least once have a 20% higher risk of developing melanoma, compared to those who have never used it. If the first use of the Solarium is under the age of 35, the risk is increased to 60%.
Radiodermatitis caused by the therapeutic use of X-rays for radiotherapeutic purposes (e.g. radiation therapy after breast cancer), makes the skin more vulnerable to the subsequent occurrence of skin cancer.
Post-burn scars and chronic ulcers also make the skin vulnerable to the later development of skin cancer.
Coexisting immunosuppression and transplant patients are approximately 100 times more likely to develop Squamous Cell Carcinoma SCC
Occupations that are daily exposed to the sun (street workers, farmers, construction workers) are more likely to develop skin cancer.
The Best Treatments for Skin Cancer!
SURGICAL METHODS
Caution, the following methods should be chosen ONLY for superficially expanding BCC and NOT for the other subtypes of BCC, SCC and Melanoma.
With the evolution in medical science and minimally invasive techniques, the gold standard for skin cancer surgical removal is Mohs Micrographic Surgery, a highly effective skin cancer removal surgical technique that offers 99.7% cure rate.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery involves removing cancer cells in layers. Each tissue sample removed during Mohs Surgery is examined at the same time under the microscope to determine if cancerous cells are present. If cancerous cells are found, then their exact location is already noted, so that further surgery is only done where necessary. This process continues until all traces of cancerous cells are removed.
The main difference between Mohs Surgery and simple conventional skin cancer surgery is that the removed tissue is examined under a microscope, immediately during the operation and not afterwards.
This means that the surgeon can be sure that all the cancerous cells have been removed and this gives an extremely high cure rate, of around 99.7% compared to only 70% with the simple conventional surgery.
In addition, Mohs skin cancer surgery avoids removing excess healthy tissue around the cancer margin and is therefore associated with better cosmetic outcomes and has the best chance of healing with minimal scarring, compared to conventional surgery. This is why Mohs Micrographic Surgery should be the first treatment option for people diagnosed with skin cancer.
It is worth mentioning that in Derm & Plastic Surgery Clinics, your medical examination and diagnosis with Dermoscopy will be done by Dr. Zografou, who is the only Mohs Surgeon in Greece , who has the official training and credentials in Mohs Surgery. Everything else mentioned on the Internet in Greece is from Doctors, who are not actually Mohs Surgeons and who don’t know how to do the histological examination under the microscope themselves, but send the tissues to third parties, thereby losing one of the main advantages of Mohs, the diagnostic accuracy.
Surgical Removal by Simple Conventional Excision
As we mentioned above, surgical removal by MOHS should be the first treatment option in cases of skin cancer, as it offers a cure rate of 99.7%. But when it is not possible to perform MOHS, then the second treatment option should be surgical removal by simple excision, which has a cure rate of 70%. In conventional excision, the surgical removal is based on the surgeon's clinical assessment for the clinical borders of the skin cancer and based on these, the surgeon removes another 4-10 millimetres of skin around the visible lesion and sends the tissue for histological examination. Then the surgeon restores the deficit that has arisen and waits for the result of the histological examination, which will show the complete removal or not of the skin cancer.
It is important to emphasise that with the conventional method during histological examination, only 30% of the tissue is sampled and examined and not 100% of the tissue as examined in the MOHS method. That’s why the cure rate with the simple excision method is 70% and the risk of recurrence of the cancer is greater.
In any case the surgical removal, even the simple one, is the only appropriate method of treating skin cancers and under no circumstances you should allow Doctors to treat your skin cancer with NON-surgical methods (eg diathermy, cauterization, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, laser removal, scraping, etc.).
Unfortunately, many patients with skin cancer are not well informed beforehand and are treated incorrectly by Dermatologists or even General Practitioners or Doctors of other specialties. Usually Doctors who are not Dermatologic Surgeons, as they do not know how to remove surgically skin cancers, try to treat them with non-surgical methods, instead of referring these patients to Dermatologic Surgeons.
However, the non-surgical methods are not effective in curing skin cancer and therefore the cancer remains in the skin, penetrates deeply into the area locally and recurs after some time in an even worse and more aggressive form. There are many patients who have been treated wrongly for years with cryotherapy and cauterization by Clinical Dermatologists, instead of having been referred for surgery in the first instance.
I studied Medicine at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, from where I graduated with Distinction and Excellence and I was awarded with two scholarships, due to my excellent grading.
My love and passion for Plastic Surgery led me to do two further trainings, my Master in Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, from which I graduated with Distinction and Excellence and my PhD in Plastic Surgery, from which I also graduated with Distinction and Excellence.
I continued my medical specializations in England and specifically at the University of Oxford for 6 years, with further training in Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery and MOHS Surgery (a specialized method for the removal of skin cancers). Then I continued for one year in America, for specialization in modern FUE Hair Transplant techniques, in one of the leading Hair Transplant Clinics. I then returned to London, where I worked for two years as a Consultant in the prestigious Harley Street , in private Plastic Surgery Clinics and then I continued for two more years in Switzerland, specifically in Zurich, as a Head Doctor in a leading private Plastic Surgery Clinic.
My long training abroad, my multiple specializations, my contact with patients from all over the world and my desire to offer to my country, gave me the inspiration to create Derm & Plastic Surgery Clinics back in 2018. From then until today I have not stopped for a moment to strive for the best, to continuously educate myself, to look for innovations and to take care of the absolute safety of every medical procedure that we offer to you, down to the last detail.
In addition to Derm & Plastic Surgery Clinics, I am also the Director of the Mohs Surgery Department at HYGEIA Hospital, as I am the only certified Mohs Surgeon in Greece and also a PhD Professor of the University of Athens, training Medical Students and junior Doctors. I have over 15 years of international medical experience in MOHS Surgery and Dermatologic Surgery and also in the full range of both Plastic Surgery reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries and Hair Transplantation as I have performed over 5,000 surgeries in these fields as main Surgeon in Greece, England, Switzerland and America. I will be happy to meet you, to help you and to be useful to you.
NON SURGICAL METHODS
Caution, the following methods should be chosen ONLY for superficially expanding BCC and NOT for the other subtypes of BCC, SCC and Melanoma.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy is a therapeutic procedure that uses high-energy radiation to treat skin cancer, specifically squamous cell cancer, which is the most radiosensitive skin cancer and responds well to radiation therapy. Not all skin cancers are radiosensitive and therefore the radiation is used more adjunctively in the treatment of skin cancer than as a primary treatment. Basal Cell Cancer is less responsive to radiation, while in melanoma, radiation is only applicable in the context of palliative treatment, when the patient is in an inoperable stage.
This procedure allows the destruction or limitation of the growth of cancerous cells and is usually used either to reduce the size of a tumour before surgical removal or as a palliative treatment in inoperable stages, when there is no other option.
Diathermy - Electrocauterization
Scraping and electrocautery, also known as thermocoagulation, are procedures used in Dermatology to treat benign skin lesions and NOT cancers. During the electrocautery process, a high-frequency electric current is used to create heat that burns and destroys the skin's surface cells. It should only be used for benign skin lesions (such as papillomas, skin tags, warts and hyperkeratoses) and under no circumstances for cancer, as it is NOT a cancer treatment.
Among the negatives of this process is the fact that the electrocautery creates scars on the skin, which look bad afterwards. That's why in Derm & Plastic Surgery Clinics we never use this method (not even for benign lesions).
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is an old method that is used in Dermatology to treat benign skin lesions and NOT cancers. In this method the surface cells are freezed and destroyed by cooling with a special cryospray that uses liquid nitrogen. It should be used exclusively for benign skin lesions (such as papillomas, skin tags, warts and hyperkeratoses) and under no circumstances for cancer, as it is not a cancer treatment.
Among the negatives of this process is the fact that the cryotherapy method creates scars on the skin, which look bad afterwards. That's why in Derm & Plastic Surgery Clinics we never use this method (not even for benign lesions).
Topical Application of Medical Creams
The Imiquimod (Imiquimod - Aldara): is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ONLY for superficial basal cell cancer (BCC) and actinic hyperkeratoses (precancerous lesions) and works by stimulating the body's immune system, to be able to destroy unhealthy cells locally. This treatment requires application of the cream topically over the lesion, usually for a long period of time (a few months) which is determined by the Doctor and may cause local skin irritations.
The 5-Fluorouracil (Fluorouracil 5-FU): is FDA approved ONLY for superficial basal cell cancer (BCC) and actinic hyperkeratoses (precancerous lesions) and works by reducing cell proliferation, in order for the body to be able to destroy unhealthy cells locally. The application of the cream topically over the lesion is required to be repeated daily, for a certain period of time, twice a day for three to six weeks.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic procedure used to treat only superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma and precancerous lesions (actinic hyperkeratosis).
The lesions that we want to destroy are covered with a light-sensitive substance for a period of four to six hours, depending on the thickness of the lesion. The lesion is then illuminated with the special photodynamic therapy device, which is set to the appropriate wavelength for the specific photosensitive substance that we used and which reacts with the light and causes chemical changes in the unhealthy cells.
These changes lead to the fragmentation and destruction of the unhealthy cells. Photodynamic therapy should be used exclusively in the treatment of superficial Basal Cell Cancer and NOT in the remaining 4 subtypes of Basal Cell Cancer, nor in Squamous Cell Cancer and Melanoma. In Derm & Plastic Surgery Clinics you will find the original medical photodynamic therapy device and specialised Doctors in the application of its protocols.
Γιατί να επιλέξω τις Κλινικές Derm & Plastic για Αφαίρεση Δερματικού Καρκίνου;
Derm & Plastic Surgery Clinics are specialized Aesthetic Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Clinics. In our premises, diagnostic examinations are carried out only by the Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons of our Clinicswho have extensive experience in Dermoscopy and Mole Mapping and not by unqualified Doctors, as happens in some other places.
In our Clinics we have state-of-the-art equipment of the medical surgical Lasers, similar to those of big private hospitals in Athens and the removal of skin cancers is done only by Dr. Zografou, who is the Scientific Director of our Clinics and the only certified Mohs Surgeon in Greece.
For us, the removal of skin cancer is considered a medical procedure and the necessary time and attention and diligence are given, both during the cancer’s removal and during the recovery period of our patient. Besides that, we are just as concerned as you are, about the aesthetic results of our removals and for this reason our Clinics are equipped with the medical resurfacing Laser, which is used after the removal, to smooth the skin and give an aesthetic result, so that the area will look like as if it has not been operated on.
Meet the Derm & Plastic Way of Life We are ensuring the quality of the services provided to you and for us the removal of skin cancer is also a treatment in premium spaces, with hygienic standards and ventilation of the spaces. Because it is important in addition to good medical devices, to feel well and be treated in beautiful modern rooms and not to perform medical procedures in old and depressive spaces, with dubious hygienic conditions and controls.
Our philosophy is Luxury at Affordable Prices and what differentiates us from all the others is that here you will find medical services with the highest standards, in luxury spaces, with maximum effects and at affordable prices. All you have to do is to book your appointment at one of our two modern Clinics, where we will inform you about our medical protocols!
Derm & Plastic TV
Myths & Truths about Skin Cancer
Myth: If you remove an innocent mole, then Skin Cancer will appear there
Truth: This is a fairly widespread myth among the population of Greece that the removal of a mole involves the risk of developing a malignancy there. Very often we hear "Doctor, I don't want to remove it, because I'm afraid it might become cancer". This opinion is completely wrong, as the removal of a mole in no way causes skin cancer. Perhaps the main reason for this misconception is that many people had a mole removed after it has become malignant. However, for this person's relatives, the belief which was formed was that the malignancy was created due to the removal of the mole and not that the mole was already malignant before its removal. Therefore it is important to dispel this myth, which exists in our country, as because of it many people come to the Doctor with a long delay. It is well known that even the melanoma, if it is removed at an early stage, is curable and does not pose any risk for the future. On the contrary, if it is removed at an advanced stage, chances are that the condition will not be reversible and this will cost the person's life.
Myth: When it is cloudy or under an umbrella we don't need sunscreen, just like if we are in the sea
Truth: This is another misconception and it is a fact that 90% of the solar radiation penetrates the cloudy sky and 50% the shadow of the umbrella at the beach. Therefore, the use of sunscreen is mandatory both in cloudy weather and under an umbrella and in the sea, if one wishes to properly prevent skin cancer.
Myth: Only fair-skinned people get Skin Cancer
Truth: While it's true that people with fair skin, light hair and light eyes are at a higher risk for skin cancer, that doesn't mean that only these people are at risk. People with darker skin can also get skin cancer and the cancer can be more aggressive when it occurs in them.
Μύθος: Τo solarium είναι ένας ασφαλής τρόπος για μαύρισμα
Μύθος: Ο Καρκίνος του Δέρματος επηρεάζει μόνο ηλικιωμένους
Truth: While the risk of skin cancer increases with age, it can develop in people of all ages, including young adults and even children. Excessive sun exposure can contribute to skin cancer at any age. Melanoma in particular, unlike other types of skin cancer that usually affects older people, often appears in the skin of young people and is the second most common cancer in people aged 15-34.
Myth: Skin Cancer does not occur in areas not exposed to the sun
Truth: While UV exposure is a major factor for skin cancer’s appearance, this can also develop on skin not exposed to the sun, such as the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands and even the genital areas. Skin cancer can also occur in areas that have limited sun exposure, such as inside the scalp.
Frequent Questions about Skin Cancer
Skin cancer, especially when detected and treated in its early stages, is curable. However, the treatment outcome depends on the type and stage of the cancer when it is diagnosed. Especially, melanoma can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early.
Surgical removal of cancer is generally considered a painless procedure. The use of local anaesthesia ensures that patients do not feel discomfort or pain during the procedure. Dr Zografou will administer local anaesthetic to numb the area, ensuring you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. After surgery, it is common for patients to experience minimal discomfort and tenderness at the surgical site. This can typically be treated with simple painkillers, such as paracetamol and usually subsides within a day.
In most cases, both Mohs Surgery and simple conventional surgery are performed at the Day Case Surgical Department, which means that you don't need to stay in the Hospital at all. Mohs Surgery is performed in a specialised Department at Hygeia Hospital which is equipped with the necessary facilities (cryotome, pathology laboratory, etc).
The length of your stay in the Hospital usually lasts 2 - 6 hours and depends on several factors, including the complexity of your case and the number of Mohs stages required to completely remove the cancer. Each Mohs stage involves tissue removal, examination under the microscope and possible additional removal if cancerous cells are found.
While the initial removal and examination process can usually be completed within a few hours, it is important to note that Mohs Surgery is an extremely precise and meticulous procedure. This means that the total duration of the operation can vary significantly from case to case and we must also estimate the time required to restore the final deficit.
This depends on the stage of cancer, but also on the type of cancer. In Basal Cell Carcinoma the correct surgical removal means cure and the same applies for the majority of Squamous Cell Carcinomas. So in these two cancers, you won't need chemotherapy or radiation. In Melanoma this will depend on its stage. In the early stages it is not required, but in advanced it will be.
As we mentioned above, skin cancer removals are performed with local anaesthesia and with Minimally Invasive Surgery methods (a field in which Dr. Zografou has a Master) and so you can return to your daily life after a few days (usually 2-3 days).
This is the most frequent question of all people who are interested in removing skin cancers, especially if it is in the facial area. This depends on some factors which are:
Body area: Some areas of the body are known to heal better and some others not, for example the chest, décolleté and shoulders are more likely to develop keloids during surgical removals.
Method of removal: As mentioned above, Mohs removal, where it can be done, gives better aesthetic results in terms of scar than simple scalpel removal. This is because the Mohs method avoids removing excess healthy tissue around the borders of the cancer and safely removes only the cancerous cells and therefore is associated with better cosmetic results and has the best chance of healing the areas with minimal scarring, compared to conventional surgery.
Technical and Surgical Skills of the Doctor: he right choice of Doctor, who should be a Dermatologic Surgeon or a Plastic Surgeon with excellent knowledge of anatomy and many years of surgical experience, plays a major role in the outcome of the removal and the final aesthetic result. Do not be convinced by very low prices and trust your health in the hands of non-specialist Doctors, as then you will have to pay double and triple to qualified Doctors to do corrections for you. In Derm & Plastic Surgery Clinics, the removal of skin cancers is done only by the Scientific Director Dr Zografou, who is the only certified Mohs Surgeon in Greece and holds a Master's Degree in Minimally Invasive Surgery, with many years of specialization and experience in dysplastic moles and skin cancer and hundreds of patients in Greece and abroad.
Healing Ability: Each person's healing abilities also play a big role. Some people heal very well and quickly and others heal slowly with the creation of atrophic or hypertrophic scars. Therefore you should wonder.. Are you a Good Healer or a Poor Healer?
Adherence to post-operative instructions: Post-operative instructions and compliance by people who have recently undergone surgical removal are also important. Often due to improper adherence to instructions and application of pressure to the surgical area (e.g. vigorous exercise with weight lifting, when the area is still healing), gradual opening of a wound and distension of the surgical scar occurs. Therefore while the area initially heals properly, some time after the stitches are removed, the fine line that was initially there begins to widen and grow and look ugly. That’s why it is important to follow the Doctors' instructions carefully.
In addition to their initial diagnosis and treatment, another reason why people from all over Greece visit our Clinics is their desire to correct post-surgical scars, as in Derm & Plastic Surgery Clinics we have state-of-the-art resurfacing Lasers, which after some sessions eliminate old scars. We are as concerned, as you are, with the aesthetic results of our treatments and for this reason in our Clinics, medical protocols are applied to smooth the skin after our surgical procedures and give an even, aesthetic result, so that the area looks as if it had no operation on it.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is suitable for:
- Skin cancers, located in anatomically sensitive areas, such as the nose, ears, periocular area and lips, where the maximum possible preservation of healthy tissue, with parallel 100% complete removal of the cancer, is extremely important for aesthetic and functional reasons.
- It is also indicated for recurrent cancers that have recurred after previous surgery, as well as for cancers that have not been completely eradicated after previous surgery.
- It is indicated for cancers that are not fully circumscribed and have unclear visible borders of where the cancer begins and ends with the naked eye.
- It is also indicated for cancers that are aggressive at the initial diagnostic biopsy, such as the invasive type of basal cell cancer (morphoeic type).
- It is also the treatment of choice for cancers that develop in transplant patients , lymphoma patients and immunocompromised patients.
Mohs surgery is considered cost-effective, due to its high cure rate and the possibility of fewer surgeries and histological examinations, compared to simple conventional excision. With Mohs surgery, patients usually undergo a single procedure, which includes both the histological examination of the cancer and the final repair of the defect. In contrast, simple conventional excision may require multiple surgeries and additional histological tests, which can be both a financial and psychological burden for the patient. Each additional surgery and examination incurs additional costs, which can add up over time.
Mohs surgery, on the other hand, is performed in a single operation and the final price includes all these costs (removal, histological examination and reconstruction), without any additional charge to the patient. This holistic approach makes Mohs surgery more cost-effective. In addition, the high cure rate of Mohs surgery, reduces the chance of recurrence and therefore the costs of further treatments, surgeries and related expenses in the future.
While the cost of Mohs surgery can vary depending on a number of factors such as the location, size and complexity of the cancer, it is generally considered a value for money skin cancer treatment. In any case and due to the specificity of this operation, which has to do with the health of the patient, in our Clinics we try to provide this extremely beneficial technique, at affordable prices for all our patients.
People who had skin cancer are particularly susceptible and have an increased risk of developing skin cancer again somewhere else. Patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma of the skin have a 50% chance of having another skin cancer of the same type within five years. For this reason, a regular check up is recommended – every 6 months or so by a qualified Dermatologist.
The amount of vitamin D that our body needs for its proper functioning requires only a daily 10-minute exposure of the hands and face to the sun. Certainly from this daily 10 minutes you are not going to get skin cancer.
There are many ways you can reduce your risk of skin cancer on your body:
- Limit your exposure to solar UV radiation , especially between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen when exposed to the sun. The broad spectrum will help protect against UVA and UVB rays
- Use at least SPF 30 in your sunscreen and apply it often
- Avoid Solarium use (using Solarium for the first time under the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by almost 60%)
- Do yourself every month a skin self-check, based on the ABCDE rule
Yes, some types of skin cancer, especially melanoma, can spread (metastasize) to other organs if not treated early. Squamous cell carcinoma, if left untreated for a long time, can also metastasize, while basal cell carcinomas almost never metastasize to other parts of the body.
If you have a question about this treatment that is not answered in the text above, please send your question to the Doctor. Don't send questions about treatment costs and prices, as these are only formulated after the medical consultation, either in person at our Clinics or by Online Consultation.
Book an appointment and come to one of our Clinics or if you don't have time or live far away, request a video call consultation first and then come directly for your treatment.
