Skin Cancer & Melanoma Surgery

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer affecting people across the globe. Cancer, also called malignant neoplasm, occurs when cells in the body divide uncontrollably. Cancer cells develop when the genetic material in the body cells is damaged and the body is unable to repair this damage. These damaged cells divide and multiply uncontrollably forming a tumour mass. Uncontrolled division of skin cells is called skin cancer.

Various treatment approaches are available for treating skin cancers and the selection of treatment modality depends on various factors such as the type, location, severity of the cancer, patient's age and health status, and other conditions.

The surgical methods to remove tumour mass include:

• Curettage and desiccation – Curettage involves scooping out the cancer mass with the help of a spoon–like instrument called a curette.
  
  Desiccation is then done by applying an electric current to control bleeding and kill the remaining cancer cells.
• Surgical excision – Surgical excision involves removal of the entire tumour mass.
• Cryosurgery – In this technique, liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze and kill the abnormal cancer cells.