Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers affecting more than one million people every year. Early prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment is the best approach to this potentially serious skin disease. While skin cancers can be found on any part of the body, about 80 percent appear on the face, head, or neck, where they can be disfiguring as well as dangerous.
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Malignant
Melanoma |
Basal Cell
Cancer |
The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation - most often from the sun, but also from artificial sources like sunlamps and tanning booths.
Victor R. Michalak, M. D., Board Certified Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon, is a highly trained and skilled specialist in the diagnosis, removal, surgical repair and overall treatment of skin cancer. From Mohs micrographic surgery to reconstructive surgery, excisions as well as preventive laser therapy of pre-cancerous growths, Dr. Michalak has successfully treated thousands of patients with sun damage and cancer of the skin. Dr. Michalak is widely recognized as an expert in the complexities of the skin and related surgery.
Mohs micrographic surgery is a technique utilized for the removal of skin cancers that are considered high risk for recurrence or which involve more critical anatomic areas where there is a concern for the maximal preservation of normal tissue. The technique involves the removal of tissue with mapping of the removal area and immediate frozen section examination of the tissue to determine whether all of the cancer has been removed. It is a highly specialized technique requiring more time to perform than conventional skin cancer surgery. Mohs' surgery is performed by Dr. Michalak who is trained in Moh's technique and a member of the American Society of Mohs Surgery.
Reconstructive techniques range from a simple scar revision to a complex transfer of tissue from elsewhere on the body. These techniques can often repair damaged tissue as well as rebuild lost tissue, with an outcome that allows most patients to have an acceptable appearance with minimal or no scarring, in many cases.
Dr. Michalak performs many of his surgeries in a fully-equipped and staffed, modern and comfortable, accredited Ambulatory Surgical Suite allowing the convenience of an office-like environment over a hospital setting.
For some patients, treatment of cancers and precancerous conditions may be accomplished by non surgical methods including skin freezing (cryosurgery), and topical medications, which can pharmacologically and immunologically remove the abnormal tissue with minimal recovery.
Preventative measures offered by Dr. Michalak include education in sun protection, full body skin screening, topical medications (creams) that can repair sun damaged skin and simultaneously rejuvenate the skin, and cosmetic procedures to restore the skin to a more youthful and less sun damaged appearance. (See Facial Rejuvenation on this website).
As with all health matters, prevention is the key. Call 425-391-2500 for more information or to schedule an examination.
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