Skin Cancer Treatment In Grass Valley, CA
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As skin cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis, the need for preventative care and skin cancer treatment is at an all-time high. Even with proper SPF use and protective clothing, it’s crucial that patients today see their health practitioners for regular skin cancer screenings to reduce the risk of cancer.
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Dr. Bruce Lattyak and our team are committed to keeping our patients cancer-free through proactive prevention measures, comprehensive non-surgical and surgical treatments, and advanced reconstructive procedures.
What Types of Skin Cancer Can Be Treated?
At the Élan Clinic, we treat all forms of skin cancer, including the three most common types:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) appears in areas that are exposed to the sun, most commonly the face and neck. BCC may appear as a pearly or waxy bump, a flat pink or reddish scaly patch of skin, or a bleeding or scabbing sore that never completely heals.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) also appears on more sun-exposed areas like the hands, face, and neck. This type of skin cancer is also commonly seen on the scalp, arms, and legs. SCC may appear as a thick, crusty lesion or a large, smooth, raised tumor with a small crust in the center.
- Melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer as it affects deeper layers of the skin and, if not caught early, can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma can appear in normal skin or within a mole that becomes cancerous. It most often appears in men’s faces or torsos, while women more commonly see it in their legs. It can occur in skin that hasn’t been exposed to the sun and often appears as a large brown or black spot, a mole that changes in color and size, small lesions with irregular borders, and portions that appear red, pink, white, blue or blue-black, or a painful lesion that burns or itches.
In addition to invasive skin cancer, we also treat precancerous skin lesions such as actinic keratoses to reduce their risk of becoming skin cancer. These lesions typically have a flaky or scaly appearance or a rough surface that seems to come and go—they are particularly more noticeable in the summer months. The most common treatments used for these lesions are cryotherapy (freezing) and topical prescription creams.
Why Choose the Élan Clinic for Skin Cancer Treatment?
Even with proper preventative measures, skin cancer is a prevalent issue, particularly in sunny California, affecting millions of people every year. We offer multiple treatment options under the care of our double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lattyak, in order to provide preventative care and rapid treatment to keep our patients cancer-free.
Whether you are looking for skin cancer screenings from our experienced P.A. or advanced complex reconstructive care, the Élan Clinic is here for you. Additionally, in response to the growing concerns of our community members who previously had to travel for their Mohs treatments, we offer frozen section techniques in collaboration with the pathologists at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. Frozen section offers comparable cure rates to Mohs surgery and typically takes about one-third of the time, making it a much faster and more convenient option to treat BCC and SCC.
How Do I Know If I Have Skin Cancer?
The best way to determine if you have skin cancer is through regular screenings. It’s recommended that you perform a cancer self-check monthly, looking for new or atypical skin lesions or changes to existing moles. In addition to this, you should also have professional skin cancer checks by an experienced healthcare provider annually, or more frequently if you are at high risk.
When performing a self-examination, be sure to look out for the ABCDEs of melanoma:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other
- Border irregularity: The mole has uneven, blurred, or jagged edges
- Color: The mole is not uniform in color
- Diameter: The diameter is greater than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser)
- Evolving: Any changes in size, shape, color, elevation, or any new symptoms
Skin cancer can affect anyone regardless of skin tone, so be sure to take proper precautions and call your healthcare provider if you notice any irregularities.
Skin Cancer Screenings in Grass Valley, CA
In addition to your monthly self-examinations, annual or semiannual professional skin examinations are a critical part of early skin cancer detection and treatment. We offer head-to-toe skin cancer screenings in addition to a full range of treatments for precancerous lesions and invasive skin cancer. Call us today at (530) 273-3400 to schedule an appointment.
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What Are My Options for Skin Cancer Treatments?
If you’ve received a skin cancer diagnosis, it’s important to understand that the sooner you get treatment, the higher the rate of success. We offer multiple options for skin cancer treatment, which is based on the type of skin cancer you have as well as the severity of your condition.
Excision and Linear Repair
Depending on their location and other factors, many smaller skin cancers can be treated with excision and linear repair of the wound. This procedure typically takes 15–30 minutes. The excised cancer is sent for pathological analysis to confirm complete removal. Whenever possible, dissolvable sutures are used. In cases where permanent sutures are needed, they are typically removed the following week.
Frozen Section
For some skin cancers, it is preferable to confirm that the lesion has been completely and adequately removed in real-time, that is, while the patient waits in the office. Previously, the only way to do this was with Mohs surgery. While the Mohs technique is very effective and reliable, it is a painstakingly slow procedure that removes thin slices of the skin cancer layer by layer and typically takes at least four hours, sometimes a full day. Also, the closest Mohs surgeons to the Élan Clinic are in Roseville and Yuba City, so local patients have to incur significant travel time to get treated.
At the Élan Clinic, we offer a much more pragmatic alternative to Mohs surgery called frozen section. Dr. Lattyak collaborates with the pathologists at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. Frozen section samples are evaluated in real-time, so patients will get confirmation that their cancer has been completely removed the same day. Frozen section cure rates are very comparable to Mohs (92–94% at five years for frozen section vs. 96–98% at five years for Mohs). Best of all, frozen section typically only takes one to two hours and, being available locally, does not require additional travel time.
Complex Reconstruction
In more severe or complex cases, reconstruction using skin grafting or flaps is necessary. Dr. Lattyak has been performing complex reconstructions for over 20 years with great success. If complex reconstruction is necessary, Dr. Lattyak will discuss your options with you during your comprehensive consultation.
Sentinel Node Biopsy
Some skin cancers, in particular certain melanomas, have a higher risk of spreading to the lymph nodes. In these cases, in addition to removing the skin cancer it is important to obtain a sample of the lymph nodes to make sure it hasn’t spread. When sentinel node biopsy is required, Dr. Lattyak will collaborate with the appropriate surgeon to perform this procedure at the same time as the skin cancer is removed. Sentinel node biopsy typically requires general anesthesia and is therefore performed at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital.
Non-Surgical Treatment
While surgical removal with pathological confirmation of negative margins offers the highest cure rates of skin cancer, sometimes non-surgical treatment may be an option, particularly for patients who are poor candidates for surgery. The most common non-surgical treatment involves the application of a topical prescription medication to the lesion for several weeks. In such cases, close follow up is important to ensure that the cancer has been effectively and completely treated.
Another option for patients with extensive sun-damaged facial skin with multiple pre-cancerous lesions and non-melanoma skin cancers is a resurfacing procedure, for example, a deep chemical peel. Microscopic studies of peeled skin show destruction of actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous lesions) and early skin cancer cells, and patients who have had deep peels develop substantially fewer facial BCC’s and SCC’s. While chemical peels are not typically covered by health insurance, they have the added benefit of dramatically reducing facial wrinkles and improving skin tone, texture, and complexion.
How Is Skin Cancer Treatment Performed?
Most skin cancer surgery is performed in the office under local anesthesia. The treatment area will initially be numbed for optimum comfort throughout the process. The cancer will be removed and sent to a pathologist, who will examine the tissue to ensure that it has been completely and adequately removed. Whenever possible, dissolvable sutures are used to repair the wound.
What Is Skin Cancer Treatment Recovery Like?
Skin cancer treatments, whether minimally invasive or more advanced, are unique to the nature of the lesion as well as the needs of the patient. Each treatment plan is very individualized; therefore, recovery will vary as well.
Following your treatment, Dr. Lattyak will provide you with detailed written aftercare instructions until you are fully healed. You may also be given prescriptions for antibiotics or pain medications, depending on the size, location, and complexity of your treatment. In cases where permanent sutures are needed, they are typically removed the following week.
How Much Does Skin Cancer Treatment Cost in Grass Valley, CA?
The cost of skin cancer treatments depends on the type of skin cancer, the size of the lesion, and the technique used. Most skin cancer treatments are covered by insurance, but we also offer financing options.
If needed, Dr. Lattyak will provide you with an accurate cost estimate after your consultation.
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What Our Patients Are Saying
“I really appreciate the time taken to explain procedures and options by Dr. Lattyak when I came in for multiple procedures stemming from a car accident 10 years ago. Quality work and practically painless!” “I’m a 60 year old teacher, not quite ready to retire. For my end of career time in the classroom I wanted to look more refreshed and youthful. Dr. Lattyak and his staff helped make this dream come true. The results of upper eyelid and brow lift are beautiful and the recovery period was over quickly. Thanks for everything.”
“I am so happy with my experience with Dr. Lattyak, his staff, and my surgery results. I will (and do!) recommend this office to anyone considering surgery.”
“Never had a better treatment. Nurses were great and Dr. Lattyak is remarkable.”