Rehabilitative Surgery

Skin Alterations, Basal Cell Carcinoma and Scars I

Skin alterations come in many forms. It is critical to differentiate between those which are benign with absolute certainty and others who cannot be completely ruled out from being malignant. There are also alterations that can actually turn malignant. A definitive diagnosis of dubious skin alterations can only made by a pathologist after taking a skin specimen and subsequent examination of same under a microscope. If necessary, this can be done within the scope of the so-called express cutting process in about 30 minutes!

We would now like to give you an example of such a surgery based on a basal cell carcinoma: A basal cell carcinoma is a tumor, which, depending on the type of basal, may be aggressive and grow on location, but does not multiply diffusely. This means that patients who have basal cell carcinoma do not have to worry about related tumors in the lung or in the liver. It should, however, be removed as radically as necessary. A safety distance of 2-4 mm is sufficient.

Planning

If a patient with a skin alternation that gives rise to suspicions of a basal cell carcinoma comes to our clinic, we recommend the removal of the tumor. First, we provide the patient with comprehensive information in a one-on-one meeting. The alteration should be removed within about 3 weeks. Depending on the scope of the carcinoma, the surgery can be performed on an out-patient basis under local anesthesia. The patient is advised to quit taking blood thinning medications (ASS, Aspirin, Tomapyrin, Marcumar) 10-14 days before the surgery or if necessary, is switched to heparin injections. On the day of surgery, the patient is permitted to have a light breakfast and a beverage prior to the surgery if it is performed under local anesthesia.

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