Melanoma and Atypical Nevus (mole) excision
At Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery, we offer high-quality melanoma and atypical nevus (mole) excision for Atlanta patients. Melanoma is a skin cancer that develops in the melanin-producing cells, known as melanocytes. People develop melanomas in various parts of the body, including the face, neck, and extremities.
Excision is the primary solution for patients with melanomas. This procedure prevents melanomas from developing further by permanently removing them from the body. It also removes benign atypical moles, or nevi.
Is Melanoma or Atypical Nevus Excision Right for Me?
Patients who have suspicious lesions that may be melanoma or an atypical mole are ideal candidates for these types of excision. In cases where the melanoma has spread beyond the skin, excision is typically no longer an adequate solution.
Your Consultation
During the consultation, the patient’s melanoma or atypical mole will be examined. The patient’s medical history will be discussed, and the dermatologist may request a biopsy for the lesion.
The dermatologist will then discuss the excision process in detail with the patient, along with aftercare. If excision is appropriate, a suitable treatment plan will be created to remove the lesion from the patient’s skin.
The Procedure
The melanoma excisions that we do are a modified or “slow” Mohs procedure. Basically we process the tissue overnight by an outside lab as the lab results are more reliable when done that way for melanoma. It requires the patient to come back to the office the next day to get the results and either be repaired or to have another layer of tissue removed. If another layer needs to be taken then they need to come back the next day.
For patients with a diagnosis of pigmented growths, you will be treated with “Slow Mohs”.
This would include
- atypical or “displastic” nevus (mole)
- pre-melanomas
- spitz nevus
- melanoma
- lentigo maligna
- atypical melanocytic neoplasm
Your diagnosis makes it necessary for us to use overnight section processing which takes 12-14 hours. We will remove the first layer with mapping, exactly as described in the brochure, but you will go home immediately there after. You will need to return the next morning to find out the results of the pathology. At that time we will know whether there are any “roots” left and if we have to take an additional layer. The removal process will continue each day until clear margins are achieved. (Many people will only need one layer, it depends on the growth of your particular lesion.) Once the margins clear, we will be able to do whatever is necessary to aid in healing. Therefore, you will need to plan on at least two (and possibly more) visits on sequential days for complete removal of this lesion.
The Recovery Process
The recovery process after melanoma and atypical nevus excision may take one to three weeks, depending on the treated area and amount of tissue removed. Patients may experience some soreness after the procedure. Patients will be given prescriptions and post-surgery instructions. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the recovery and results.
The Cost of Melanoma and Atypical Nevus Excision
The cost of melanoma or atypical mole excision depends on the treatment plan. Follow-up surgeries can impact the overall price of the excision. You must ask your healthcare provider if they cover the cost of the procedure.
Schedule Your Consultation
Scheduling a melanoma or atypical nevus excision consultation with Drs. Baucom and Mina is the best way to ensure that you get the quality results you deserve. Contact Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery today to schedule your consultation regarding melanoma and atypical nevus excision in Atlanta.
