Facial Skin Cancer Treatment
Facial Skin Cancer Treatment in Cyprus, Greece and Malta
Exposure to the sun and genetics make the skin on the human face prone to develop an abnormal growth of skin cells, known as skin cancer.
People diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma, undergo surgery to remove the cancerous growth. After that, the face is reconstructed to restore a natural look and minimize scarring or disfigurement.
What Is Facial Skin Cancer Reconstructive Surgery?
Cancer diagnosis on the face may require surgery to remove the skin tumor or the precancerous facial skin lesions before they grow further or put the patient’s life in danger.
The surgeon also removes a portion of the healthy skin around the tumor or skin lesions in order to remove potential cancer cells spread in the area. Extensive surgical resection is necessary, especially in the case of advanced skin cancer, and typically precedes radiation or chemotherapy.
The challenge posed by skin cancer removal surgery on the face is the subsequent impact on facial appearance, such as visible scars or disfigurement.
Experienced facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons are trained to reconstruct skin cancer removal defects with meticulous attention in preserving facial aesthetics and function.
Local flaps, skin grafts and other techniques are used to restore a natural look and minimize scarring.
Benefits Of Skin Cancer Reconstruction
Facial skin cancer removal can have a lasting impact on the face’s appearance, posing additional worries on patients and further impacting their psychological condition.
The benefits of skin cancer reconstruction after cancer removal include:
- Improves the look of the treatment area
- Repairs skin damage
- Minimizes visible scarring
- Restores a normal, unblemished look
- Restores integrity of skin
How Does Skin Cancer Reconstruction Work?
Skin cancer reconstructive surgery can be performed simultaneously with skin cancer removal surgery or at a later stage.
Immediate Skin Cancer Reconstruction
Immediate reconstructive surgery takes place together with the skin cancer removal procedure simultaneously. Your reconstructive plastic surgeon will decide if you are a good candidate for immediate reconstruction based on your diagnosis and overall treatment plan.
Delayed Reconstruction
In some cases, patients have to delay reconstructive cancer surgery until they have had time to recover and have received skin cancer treatment, including radiation and/or chemotherapy.
There are two common ways to reconstruct the skin on the face after skin cancer removal:
Local Flap Technique
The surgeon cuts a flap from the skin next to the affected area, shifts it over the excised area, and attaches it in place. Local flap reconstructive technique suits facial skin with natural creases, so that these are used to conceal scars.
Skin Graft
The skin graft technique is used in more complticated cases. The surgeon takes skin graft from other body areas, which are easily concealable, and uses it to cover the surgical site. The donor skin is sutured with the skin edges on the excision site.
Duration
30 minutes
Anaesthesia Used
Local Anesthesia
Hospital Stay
Day Surgery
Pre Admission Tests
Blood Tests
Downtime
1-2 weeks
Driving
Next Day
Exercise
1-2 weeks
Final Result
1 month
Recovery After Facial Skin Cancer Reconstruction
Skin cancer removal and reconstruction surgery requires local anesthesia with or without sedation.
Recovery depends on the extent and complexity of the surgical site. Most patients can return to everyday activities from the first day after the surgery and fully recover within a week.
Facial appearance improves gradually within 6-8 weeks. Your reconstructive surgeon might suggest small corrections of skin scars at a later stage.
Skincare and sun protection are necessary during the healing period.
What our patients say!
Where Will Facial Skin Cancer Treatment Take Place?
Dr. Stavrou performs facial skin cancer removal and reconstruction surgery in accredited medical centers in Cyprus (Nicosia and Limassol), Greece (Athens) and Malta (Sliema).
The procedure takes place in a safe and sterile operation room. The surgeon uses the most advanced medical equipment for skin cancer treatment. The staff involved is thoroughly trained and specialized in reconstructive procedures. Dr. Stavrou wants to ensure a safe, well-controlled and comfortable surgical experience for all of his patients.
After the procedure, the patient is transferred to the recovery suite and is closely monitored by the medical staff.
The European Institute of Plastic Surgery (EIPS) offers exceptional health care and meets the high standards of safety and care set by European laws. EIPS clinics provide individualized health care in an exclusive and luxurious environment.
Facial Skin Cancer Surgeon,
Dr. Demetris Stavrou
Facial Skin Cancer Surgeon,
Dr. Demetris Stavrou
Dr. Stavrou is an experienced, accredited and board-certified Plastic Surgeon, leading the European Institute of Plastic Surgery in Cyprus since 2012. He was trained in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery in top Medical Institutions in Greece, London, Melbourne and Israel.
He has an artistic eye and extensive experience in removing skin tumors and precancerous facial skin lesions, as well as reconstructing the skin beautifully and expertly, without compromising on facial aesthetics or function. He is compassionate and always by the side of his patients to make them feel comfortable, secure and confident.
For Dr. Stavrou, paying attention to the details is what makes the difference in plastic surgery.
“Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come.”
Dr. Demetris Stavrou
FAQs for Facial Skin Cancer Treatment
How is skin cancer removed?
There are two ways to remove skin cancer from the face: classic cancer removal surgery and Mohs surgery.
In classic surgery, the surgeon removes the skin tumor or skin lesions that are visible, and a part of the healthy surrounding tissue. That happens because cancer cells might have also spread in the area around the visible tumor. The removed skin is sent to the lab for tissue processing and the results are available after at least 15 days.
Mohs micrographic surgery requires special surgical training. The surgeon removes a thin layer of the skin that includes the tumor and then examines the extracted sample under a microscope. If they find cancer cells in the sample, they remove another skin layer and check it. This process is repeated until the skin samples are free of cancerous cells. The goal of Mohs surgery is to save as much unaffected skin as possible around the tumor.
How long does it take for a skin cancer removal to heal?
The healing time following skin cancer removal surgery depends on the technique used.
Less extensive wounds might take from one to three weeks to heal. However if the surgeon removed a large area of skin and used a skin graft on the surgical site, recovery will last longer.
Is skin cancer removal painful?
Patients do not feel any pain during the skin cancer removal surgery as they have received local anesthesia with or without sedation.
A feeling of discomfort is natural after the surgery, but it can be fully controlled with pain medication prescribed by your doctor.
Is facial skin cancer surgery dangerous?
Facial skin cancer treatment is critical for removing the cancerous cells from the face before they multiply and put the patient’s life at risk.
It is a safe surgery only when performed by a skilled, experienced and board-certified reconstructive plastic surgeon.
As with any surgical procedure, cancer removal surgery carries the risk of excessive bleeding, infection, changes in skin sensation, temporary or permanent numbness around the surgical area, itching, extended scarring or the possibility of revision surgery in the future.
If you have any questions and concerns about facial skin cancer removal and reconstruction procedure, reach out today to the accredited European Institute of Plastic Surgery (EIPS) and Dr. Stavrou at +357 9787 3787, +357 700 88 002 or +30 6971 881 572.
Information
