Tumor surgery
Tumor surgery is one of the most important areas of modern dermatology. Many skin tumors, both benign and malignant, can be cured through early detection and complete surgical removal. Crucial to this success is precise surgical technique combined with meticulous histopathological examination of the removed tissue.
At the Decamed Skin and Laser Center, we work with state-of-the-art surgical methods, highly precise suturing techniques and – in the case of selected tumors – with the possibility of rapid section diagnostics to check during the operation whether the tumor has been completely removed.
Table of Contents
- What is tumor surgery?
- Benign & malignant skin tumors
- When is surgical removal necessary?
- Diagnostics & Planning
- Procedure of the operation
- Surgical techniques
- Rapid section diagnostics (intraoperative pathology)
- Healing & Aftercare
- FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is tumor surgery?
Tumor surgery involves the surgical removal of skin lesions in order to:
- to completely remove malignant tumors
- To obtain diagnostic certainty (histology)
- to protect healthy tissue as much as possible
- to achieve the best possible aesthetic result
- Tumor surgery is the most important form of therapy for skin cancer.
2. Benign & malignant tumors
2. Benign & malignant tumors
Benign skin tumors
- Lipomas
- Cysts
- Fibroiders
- Age spots
- benign moles
Malignant skin tumors
- Basal cell carcinoma (basalioma)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (spinal carcinoma)
- Malignant melanoma
Complete tumor removal with a safety margin is absolutely necessary here.
3. When is surgical removal necessary?
3. When is surgical removal necessary?
Surgery is recommended in the following cases:
- Suspected skin cancer
- proven malignant tumors
- Moles with changes (ABCDE rule)
- Tumors that bleed, grow, or fail to heal
- aesthetic or functional impairment
- unclear skin nodule
The earlier the procedure is performed, the smaller and more aesthetically pleasing it can be.
4. Diagnostics & Planning
4. Diagnostics & Planning
Before any operation, we conduct a comprehensive examination:
- Dermoscopy
- Biopsy for diagnostic confirmation
- precise definition of the cutting path
- Calculation of the required safety distance
- Discussion of possible reconstruction or suturing techniques
For larger tumors or tumors that are difficult to classify histologically, intraoperative frozen section diagnostics can be planned.
5. Procedure of the tumor surgery
Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.
1. Anesthesia
Painless surgery through local anesthesia.
2. Excision of the tumor
Distance with a defined safety margin.
3. Hemostasis & Preparation
Gentle handling of surrounding tissue for an aesthetically optimal result.
4. Quick section (if necessary, see below)
During the surgery, a pathologist assesses whether the tumor has been completely removed.
5. Wound closure
Fine, low-tension sutures, cosmetic intradermal sutures available upon request.
6. Surgical techniques
1. Classical excision
Standard procedure for most tumors.
2. Step incision / controlled marginal excision
Ensuring tumor completeness.
3. Shave excision
For selected benign tumors.
4. Reconstructive Techniques
- local flap surgery
- Skin changes
- special suture techniques in the face
7. Frozen section diagnostics, intraoperative safety
Frozen section diagnostics is a special procedure that is used optionally and depending on the type of tumor.
What happens during a frozen section?
- The removed tissue is frozen, cut and examined microscopically by the pathology department during the operation.
- Within a few minutes, the surgeon receives the information:
Are the surgical margins tumor-free or not?
Benefits for patients:
- maximum oncological safety
- Complete removal of the tumor in a single session
- Avoiding later follow-up surgeries
- especially important on the face and in aesthetically sensitive areas
When is a frozen cut recommended?
- in basal cell carcinomas in the facial area
- in aggressive tumor subtypes
- in tumors with unclear marginal structures
- when an aesthetically perfect closure is required immediately
INFOBOX:
Rapid section diagnostics offer the highest level of certainty that a tumor has been completely removed, even before the wound is closed.
8. Healing & Aftercare
After the operation:
- Bandage for the first few days
- Suture removal after 7–14 days
- Scar care starting from 2 weeks
- Sunscreen to prevent pigmentation disorders
- For skin cancer: regular check-ups (dermatoscopy)
Aesthetically, the scars that usually remain are very fine and barely visible.
9. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Is the procedure painful?
No, thanks to local anesthesia it's completely painless.
When is a frozen section necessary?
In cases of tumors where it is unclear whether the margin is tumor-free, especially on the face.
What happens if the tumor is not completely removed?
Then the safety distance is increased in the same operation.
What does the scar look like?
Special suturing techniques result in a very fine, discreet scar.
Do I need checks afterwards?
Yes, especially after the removal of malignant tumors.
Conclusion
Modern tumor surgery means the highest precision, safe tumor removal and the best possible aesthetic results.
The option of rapid section analysis offers additional medical safety – especially in cases of facial skin cancer. This ensures that tumors are completely removed while simultaneously performing the most gentle surgery possible.
5. Procedure of the tumor surgery
5. Procedure of the tumor surgery
Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.
1. Anesthesia
Painless surgery through local anesthesia.
2. Excision of the tumor
Distance with a defined safety margin.
3. Hemostasis & Preparation
Gentle handling of surrounding tissue for an aesthetically optimal result.
4. Quick section (if necessary, see below)
During the surgery, a pathologist assesses whether the tumor has been completely removed.
5. Wound closure
Fine, low-tension sutures, cosmetic intradermal sutures available upon request.
6. Surgical techniques
6. Surgical techniques
1. Classical excision
Standard procedure for most tumors.
2. Step incision / controlled marginal excision
Ensuring tumor completeness.
3. Shave excision
For selected benign tumors.
4. Reconstructive Techniques
- local flap surgery
- Skin changes
- special suture techniques in the face
7. Frozen section diagnostics, intraoperative safety
7. Frozen section diagnostics, intraoperative safety
Frozen section diagnostics is a special procedure that is used optionally and depending on the type of tumor.
What happens during a frozen section?
- The removed tissue is frozen, cut and examined microscopically by the pathology department during the operation.
- Within a few minutes, the surgeon receives the information:
Are the surgical margins tumor-free or not?
Benefits for patients:
- maximum oncological safety
- Complete removal of the tumor in a single session
- Avoiding later follow-up surgeries
- especially important on the face and in aesthetically sensitive areas
When is a frozen cut recommended?
- in basal cell carcinomas in the facial area
- in aggressive tumor subtypes
- in tumors with unclear marginal structures
- when an aesthetically perfect closure is required immediately
INFOBOX:
Rapid section diagnostics offer the highest level of certainty that a tumor has been completely removed, even before the wound is closed.
8. Healing & Aftercare
8. Healing & Aftercare
After the operation:
- Bandage for the first few days
- Suture removal after 7–14 days
- Scar care starting from 2 weeks
- Sunscreen to prevent pigmentation disorders
- For skin cancer: regular check-ups (dermatoscopy)
Aesthetically, the scars that usually remain are very fine and barely visible.
9. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
9. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Is the procedure painful?
No, thanks to local anesthesia it's completely painless.
When is a frozen section necessary?
In cases of tumors where it is unclear whether the margin is tumor-free, especially on the face.
What happens if the tumor is not completely removed?
Then the safety distance is increased in the same operation.
What does the scar look like?
Special suturing techniques result in a very fine, discreet scar.
Do I need checks afterwards?
Yes, especially after the removal of malignant tumors.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Modern tumor surgery means the highest precision, safe tumor removal and the best possible aesthetic results.
The option of rapid section analysis offers additional medical safety – especially in cases of facial skin cancer. This ensures that tumors are completely removed while simultaneously performing the most gentle surgery possible.