Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer is the most common form of cancer in humans.

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in the appearance of the skin, such as a new growth or a sore that will not heal.

The two most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Together, these two are also referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is generally the most serious form of skin cancer because it tends to spread (metastasize) throughout the body quickly. Skin cancer is also known as skin neoplasia.

The face, however, remains the most common location for basal cell lesions. Weakening of the immune system, whether by disease or medication, can also promote the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma.

Risk factors:

• Exposure to sun.
• Age
• Exposure to ultraviolet radiation
• Therapeutic radiation

Mohs micrographic surgery is a minor surgical procedure and special method of removing skin cancers using local anesthesia (numbing). The majority of cases are performed in the physician’s office. Mohs is a very precise, highly detailed technique whereby small layers of skin are sequentially removed and immediately examined under the microscope until the samples indicate that the skin cancer is completely removed.

This method removes as little of the healthy normal tissue as possible. The cure rate is very high, exceeding 98%. Mohs micrographic surgery is preferred for large basal cell carcinomas, those that recur after previous treatment, or lesions affecting parts of the face where experience shows that recurrence is common after treatment by other methods.

This type of surgery is done by Dr.Tarbet and a dermatologist who specializes in Mohs techniques. This is a two-day procedure, where the dermatologist doesthe  actual removal of the cancers area and then the next day Dr.Tarbet will close the area with either a flap or graft technique. This procedure is done in an outpatient facility.

While you may have heard claims of eye drops or creams addressing ptosis if they do anything at all it’s usually only for a few hours. Skin tightening treatments, such as those using radiofrequency energy, are also only good for a couple of weeks before the eyelid droops again.

Dr. Tarbet has had success with Botox injections in some patients. If Botox is injected into the upper outer brow and various specific points on the forehead, this can help to open the eyelids and it takes the weight off the brows and sub-brow tissue of the upper eyelids. Botox injections are not permanent solutions, as their results last from 4-6 months.

Really the only effective treatment for ptosis is surgery to address the levator muscles that lift the eyelids.