Excision
At Blue Ribbon Dermatology, we perform excisions to remove both benign (non-cancerous) and cancerous skin lesions. An excision involves surgically cutting out the lesion along with a small margin of surrounding healthy skin to ensure complete removal. This technique is commonly used for moles, cysts, lipomas, and certain types of skin cancers.
Unlike Mohs surgery, an excision removes the visible lesion and a broader margin of surrounding tissue all at once, without examining tissue layers under a microscope during the procedure. The removed specimen is then sent to an outside pathologist to confirm complete excision. However, it is important to note that excisions do not provide 100% margin evaluation the way Mohs surgery does.
After removal, stitches are placed to help the skin heal with the best possible cosmetic result.
Frequently Asked Questions
An excision is a surgical procedure where a skin growth, mole, cyst, or malignant spot is carefully cut out, along with a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue.
Excision may be recommended for benign growths that are bothersome, suspicious moles, or certain types of malignant lesions that don't require Mohs surgery.
The area is numbed with local anesthesia. The lesion is then surgically removed, and the site is stitched closed. The removed tissue is usually sent to a lab to confirm complete removal.
