Q - What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is a type of cancer primarily caused by ultraviolet radiation exposure from the sun. It primarily appears on the face, head and neck. As the most common form of cancer in the U.S., skin cancer has in recent years become an alarming epidemic. The three most common types of skin cancer include melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Q - What is melanoma?
Melanoma is the third most common type of skin cancer. It most often occurs on the face, lips and ears though it can spread to other sites including the lymph nodes and internal organs. Melanoma can prove life threatening if left untreated. Moles that change in size, color or shape, as well as new skin growths, may be a sign of melanoma.

Q - What is basal cell carcinoma?
The most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma can appear in many forms. It is the least dangerous type of skin cancer as it is slow growing and rarely spreads.

Q - What is squamous cell carcinoma?
The second most common form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma commonly occurs on the face, ears and lips. It can sometimes spread to other sites like the lymph nodes and internal organs. Left untreated, this type of cancer can prove life threatening. As with basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma can appear in many forms

Q - How can skin cancer be treated with plastic surgery?
Through plastic surgery, cancerous skin growths can be surgically removed. Furthermore, plastic surgeons can do this in a way that maintains function and provides the most pleasing appearance possible. In treating skin cancer, Dr. Buckingham often teams up with a Mohs surgeon who performs the excision while he performs the reconstruction. These two tasks can be completed on the same day. Dr. Buckingham uses the latest techniques to restore soft tissue defects to an appearance and function that is as close as possible to their pre-injury state.

Q - Is anesthesia used for skin cancer treatment?
Some form of anesthesia will likely be used for your skin cancer treatment, though this will depend upon the particular procedure performed. Surgical procedures are often performed with either local anesthesia and sedation or with general anesthesia.

Q - What procedures are used to treat skin cancer?
There are a variety of procedures able to treat skin cancer. Dr. Buckingham often teams up with a Mohs surgeons. In so doing, the Mohs surgeon can perform the excision after which Dr. Buckingham can perform the reconstruction, all on the same day.

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