Skin cancer removal

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD answers: Non-surgical option to remove basal cell cancer?

I have a basal cell cancer on bridge of nose. I have an appointment in September for [weblink:http://www.realself.com/Mohs-surgery/reviews|Mohs microsurgey]. I haven't met with the doctor yet, but I do not know what my options are besides surgery. Can they freeze it off? I already have a hole where the cancer is from a blister and the biopsy left a bigger hole. I also scar easily, as I have a scar on my neck from carotid artery surgery. I'm only 51 years old and single and I do not need another scar. Help, I need advice. Is there a non-surgical way to remove it?


Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD
3 months ago

The best way to get rid of the skin cancer is to cut it out. Depeding on the size, the area can be reconstructed using adjacent skin tissue to cover the area. The scars can be put in less visible locations if possible.

Nonsurgical options, such as freezing and topical aldara and radiation, only work for certain early skin cancers and can be temporary with return of the skin cancer, only larger and deeper.

You are young and should consider removing the whole skin cancer by cutting it out (Mohs) with reconstruction.

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