At Upstate Dermatology, all surgical procedures are done under local anesthesia (numbing medicine), and performed by the physician.  

Surgeries are typically done following a skin biopsy to ensure complete removal of skin cancer.  

The particular management strategy is customized for each patient and diagnosis.  In some cases, patients are referred to a board-certified surgical oncologist for management of melanomas.  

Patients may also be referred to another dermatologist, who specializes in Mohs surgery and is certified by the American College of Mohs Surgery.  Mohs surgery is a unique treatment for certain skin cancers, which involves staged removal of tissue layers under local anesthesia.  This special technique has a very high rate of cure and helps optimize cosmetic outcome as well.  Please click here to learn more about Mohs surgery.