CANCER RECONSTRUCTION EXPERTISE
In order to ensure a safe and effective eyelid cancer surgery, it is crucially important to select an experienced oculofacial surgeon who possesses the necessary surgical skillset and in-depth knowledge of the intricate eye structures. You will find such a physician in Dr. Kenneth Steinsapir, a multi-fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic surgeon whose private practice is located in beautiful Beverly Hills, CA, where he specializes in personalized reconstructive eyelid surgery procedures and has a proven track record of producing successful reconstructive eyelid cancer surgery outcomes.
Treatment of eyelid skin cancers begins with a formal diagnosis established by sampling the lesion. This is done as a biopsy performed by your dermatologist, general ophthalmologist, or by Dr. Steinsapir, and can be comfortably performed with a little local anesthesia and the removal of a small punch of tissue. Generally the biopsy site, which is quite small, is left to heal on its own. If the biopsy does prove that the lesion is a skin cancer, the next steps for managing the lesion very much depend on the type of skin cancer. In virtually all cases, surgical excision is indicated to cure the cancer or maintain local control if there is evidence that the lesion has spread. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly increases the likelihood of a cure.
EYELID SKIN CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS
The key with managing eyelid cancers is complete surgical excision. The cancer removal must be the primary concern of both doctor and patient, even over the aesthetic and functional consequences of removing the skin cancer. The specific technique employed for the cancer excision has a significant impact on both the successful treatment of the skin cancer and the preservation of the eyelid aesthetics and functionality. Traditionally, eyelid skin cancers were removed by the reconstructing eye plastic surgeon. After the removal, a pathologist would examine the edges of the excised tissue using frozen sections—this method is still used today and has a relatively high rate of success.
However, there is a more optimal method of excising eyelid skin cancers. This advanced technique involves a team approach where a dermatologist surgeon trained in Mohs’ cancer surgery excises the tumor and the eyelids are reconstructed by Dr. Steinsapir. There are two key advantages to this approach:
- The overall rate of success in excising the cancer is much higher than with the frozen section control technique. In some published series, successful outcomes achieved with this method approaches a 99% cure rate. This remarkably high success rate is due to the fact that this technique enables the Mohs’ surgeon to map and sample 100% of the surgical margin.
- This method is very economical in terms of preserving normal tissue surrounding the excision site, which produces a better aesthetic and functional result without compromising the skin cancer removal, thereby facilitating the healing process and shortening the post-surgical recovery period.
Once the Mohs’ surgeon has completed removal of the lesions, a dressing is placed over the area and Dr. Steinsapir examines the area. The wound closure may be performed in the office (if the defect is small) or on an outpatient basis at UCLA that day or the next day, depending upon the unique circumstances of each patient’s case. A personal consultation with Dr. Steinsapir will help to determine which surgical approach is appropriate for your treatment needs.