Those in the Barrington, Palatine, or Schaumburg area with a skin cancer diagnosis can come to Schaumburg Dermatology for skin cancer removal. Many options are available for skin cancer treatment, including electrodesiccation and excision in our office or topical chemotherapy at home. We know that the decision of which option to choose is a personal one, and we will work with you to establish the proper method of skin cancer removal for you during your consultation.

Recognizing the Common Forms of Skin Cancer

  • Basal Skin Cancer: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It generally takes form in the epidermis, and growths tend to take on a round shape with a pearly or dark color.
  • Squamous Skin Cancer: Squamous cell carcinoma is the second-most common form of skin cancer. This type tends to form on the face, hands, arms, ears, or neck. Symptoms generally take on the form of a growing bump that may have a rough, scaly surface with flat, red patches. There is a small risk of metastasis associated with squamous cell carcinoma, which can spread to your lymph nodes.

Removal and Recovery

The most common procedure for removing a small or contained lesion is excision. We will recommend the best form of anesthesia for you, whether local, intravenous, or general. While under, we will remove the lesion from the skin and provide closure during the same procedure.

For more complex forms of skin cancer, a special technique known as a Mohs procedure may be needed. Cancerous cells might be deeper than what an initial symptom may suggest, so this procedure works to remove all of the cancerous cells until a clear margin (an area where there are no skin cancer cells) presents itself. Recovery times will vary based on the type of cancer and the procedure used to remove it.

Schedule a Skin Cancer Check

A skin cancer diagnosis should be addressed right away, and our doctors will approach it with great care. While your consultation may focus specifically on removing the skin cancer, we will also discuss reconstruction should the carcinoma be larger than anticipated. We recommend all patients, regardless of skin type or ethnicity, come in for an annual skin cancer check. Higher-risk patients may require exams every six months. For more information or to book an appointment, call us at (847) 534-5507.

We look forward to serving you!