Skin Tumor Surgery – Remove and Examine Suspicious Tissue

Skin tumor surgery completely removes malignant cancer tissue and its precursors.

Particularly in the case of malignant melanoma, early detection is life-saving. For malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, surgical removal is the only form of treatment.
If precancerous lesions or early forms of so called white skin cancer are discovered during skin cancer screening, there are alternatively also nonsurgical treatment options:  cryotherapy, photodynamic therapyor abrasion via laser.

How is it performed?

The abnormal tissue is excised from the skin using a scalpel. Then a histology examination is performed in the laboratory: The tissue is examined for cancer cells or precursors. In this process, the edges of the specimen are examined in particular, along with the center of the specimen.

Especially in the case of nonmelanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma, the contours are not visible externally. If diseased cells are found at the edges of the tissue, another excision is necessary – so that the entire cancer is definitively removed from the skin.

In malignant melanoma, the diseased tissue is additionally histologically assessed. If the size, nature and especially depth of penetration of the skin tumor should necessitate further examinations and follow-up treatments, Rosenpark Clinic works closely together with the Darmstadt Dermatological Clinic and the Frankfurt University Hospitals which can receive patients.

The wound is closed depending on the size of the area via

  • simple sutures
  • flap reconstruction
  • skin transplantation

What sort of anesthesia is required?

Skin tumor surgery is performed under local anesthesiaFor more information about your options for a comfortable, pain-free treatment see the <link en rosenpark-klinik range-of-treatments anesthesia internal-link internen link im aktuellen>anesthesia section.

You can find more information in our "Dermatology" information sheets, which you can request from us free of charge.

Are you interested in a no-obligation personal consultation for cancer screening at Rosenpark Klinik? We would be happy to schedule an appointment for you.

Expert tip

Dr. Sonja Sattler: "If abnormal changes on your skin are determined, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment today in our skin screening clinic."

What you should be aware of

It is imperative that you have a specialist look at your skin if

  • gnarled or scaly changes develop over a period of weeks
  • pigmented spots become dark or even multicolored, an irregular shape develops, or new, nodular portions form
  • a previously evenly pigmented area becomes irregular