Surgical Dermatology
Dermatology Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania offers care and treatments for medical conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and severe acne. These are conditions that not only cause pain and create other issues for our skin but can also damage self-confidence. We work to find the right solutions for your unique skin so you can get the best results. Our doctors also work to help you prevent and catch life-threatening skin diseases, like skin cancer, before they become a real threat. Whatever your medical needs, we’ve got you covered.
Skin biopsy
A skin biopsy is obtained by removing a portion of the skin and sending it to the lab for further analysis under a microscope. Biopsies provide useful information about skin lesions, rashes, and suspicious moles. Many types of internal systemic diseases can present with skin manifestations and biopsies can help to further diagnose. Skin biopsies are the gold standard for diagnosing skin cancer.
We are proud to work with Inform Diagnostics where a team of dermatopathologist physicians who specialize in dermatology analyze all of our biopsy specimens. Results are typically obtained within 1 week or less.
Mole Removal
Mole removals are common procedures and can be done to remove an unwanted mole for cosmetic reasons or to prevent a mole from developing into a more severe skin disease such as cancer. There are several ways to remove a mole, including:
- Scalpel removal: We will use a scalpel to cut away the mole and surrounding tissue and stitch you up, but you may be left with a small scar depending on the size of the mole.
- Punch biopsy: This procedure uses a specialized punch tool that is placed over the mole and is used to essentially ‘punch’ out the mole and surrounding area, removing it completely.
- Shave biopsy: This procedure uses a razor blade to shave the mole from the skin as well as the surrounding area.
During a skin cancer screening exam, suspicious moles may be biopsied to rule out skin cancer. We also offer cosmetic removal of unwanted moles on the body, and strive to achieve the best cosmetic outcomes utilizing a variety of surgical approaches based on the anatomic location of the lesion.
Skin Cancer Surgery
There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Each of these skin cancers is primarily caused by too much exposure to the sun, but genetics may also play a role in increasing your risk for skin cancer.
Skin diseases and cancers are most effectively diagnosed through a biopsy that can be performed in our office and sent to a specialist or lab. For early-stage skin cancers, a biopsy or the surgical removal of the affected area can stop cancer from spreading.
When skin cancer is identified through a biopsy, further surgical treatment is often required to fully remove and treat the cancer. Our providers will discuss the appropriate method for surgically excising based on the type size, and anatomic location of the skin cancer.
When appropriate, we offer surgical excision of skin cancers such as Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in our office using local anesthesia. The area is prepped, marked, and locally numbed with anesthetic. Stitches are placed and patients are awake and typically tolerate the procedure with little to no discomfort. Once excised, the cancer is sent back to the dermatopathology lab to confirm clear margins.
For most skin cancers located on the face, ears, lower extremities, or areas where there is very little skin tissue to work with we refer patients out to see a Mohs dermatologic surgeon. Our office will help to coordinate these referrals and ensure patients are able to obtain a surgery appointment.
Cyst Removal
Epidermal inclusion cysts are comprised of sheath like sacs that exist under the skin. When they become inflamed they are often mistaken for an infection and often over treated with unnecessary antibiotics. Draining these lesions may provide temporary relief but when appropriate we also offer surgical excision of cysts to definitely treat them and prevent reoccurrence.
Pilar cysts are most commonly found on the scalp. We offer surgical excision of these cysts as well.
Skin tag removals
Skin tags can easily be removed in the office using local numbing. In most cases this procedure is considered cosmetic and we will provide a quote during your initial consultation.
Scar Revision
Scars are challenging to treat and often take years to fully heal. In some circumstances a surgical scar revision is appropriate. We also utilize injections of steroid medication to help ease pain and discomfort with scars in addition to micro needling with radiofrequency and lasers.
Lipoma excision
Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that live under the skin. Not all lipomas are appropriate to surgically excise in the office, which is why we require an initial