Skin Cancer Screening in Portland, OR
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Contact UsWhat Is Skin Cancer?
It can be alarming to receive any kind of cancer diagnosis, but individuals living with skin cancer have the added stress of worrying about how their appearance may be affected by treatments. If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer in Portland, OR or simply have a mole you're concerned about, we are here to help you. Dr. Sean McNally at The Oregon Clinic is skilled in performing biopsies and other treatments to diagnose and surgically address cancers. Our practice also offers reconstructive facial surgeries to optimize your cosmetic outcomes. Call our office today to learn more about our work with skin cancer patients.
How Can Skin Cancer Be Addressed Surgically?
Skin cancer is often first identified with a visual examination of your skin. If any suspicious growths or patches are discovered, Dr. McNally may remove a small sample to perform a biopsy for cancer or other skin conditions.
There are several surgical treatments that might be recommended for a patient with skin cancer. The first is a simple excision to remove cancerous tissue, which might be ideal if the cancer has not spread too much. For more advanced cases, there is a procedure called Mohs surgery, in which cancerous growths are removed in thin layers and examined under a microscope to determine how healthy the tissue is. This technique allows us to slowly remove cancerous cells while sparing as much healthy skin as possible.
Reconstructive surgeries for skin cancer are tailored to fit each patient's individual needs, but most procedures involve rebuilding the skin using a patch taken from another part of the body (a skin graft) or nearby healthy tissues (a local flap). Dr. McNally will help you understand your options so that you can decide on an approach together. While reconstructive surgery might sometimes be done on the same day as your skin cancer surgery, it may be necessary to take some time to recover first. At The Oregon Clinic, we have close relationships with primary care physicians, dermatologists, and surgical oncologists all over the Greater Portland, OR area and will work with your doctor to ensure a smooth care transition.
Skin Cancer Screening Reviews
Dr. McNally is a charming man with impeccable surgical talents. He was recommended to me by my doctor as a skillful plastic surgeon, and successfully removed a malignant melanoma from a difficult spot. I cannot recommend Dr. McNally more highly.
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Let Us Help You
Skin cancer can be an exhausting condition — both physically and mentally — but rest assured that the dedicated team at The Oregon Clinic is ready and able to help you. Using a combination of techniques, most of which can be performed in the comfort of our office, we can help remove cancerous cells or repair some of the damage inflicted by skin cancer. Call our Portland, OR plastic surgery office to request a consultation with Dr. McNally.
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About UsSkin Cancer Screening FAQs
How can I recognize signs of skin cancer between screenings?
When it comes to checking for potential signs of skin cancer, it helps to remember the "ABCDs" — Asymmetry, Border, Color, and Diameter. Cancerous moles may show up in an abnormal way where one side isn't the same the other. They could likewise have jagged or obscure borders or appear uneven in color with numerous shades of brown, tan, or black. On top of that, they are typically greater than six millimeters in width.
When should I schedule a skin cancer screening?
Even though it is recommended to obtain a screening one to two times yearly, it may also be necessary to have one if you discover any changes or idiosyncrasies in lesions or moles. Early diagnosis is crucial when it comes to successfully treating skin cancer, which is why we urge you to schedule a screening at the first sign of abnormalities. If you are worried that a lesion or mole may be malignant, it's a smart plan to schedule an initial appointment at our Portland, OR location.
When is it necessary to have a biopsy done?
During your appointment, Dr. McNally will carefully examine any growths or lesions to determine if anything looks out of the ordinary. If something looks like it has the potential to be malignant, then he may perform a biopsy to verify the presence of cancer. Very few cancers are clearly classified by simply viewing them.