Our Dermatology Services
At Cheyenne Skin Clinic, we believe a lifetime of optimal health radiates from the inside and out. To achieve glowing health, it’s essential to have a personalized skincare plan. That’s why we nurture relationships with our patients throughout Cheyenne, WY, so we can create a treatment plan made especially for you! We provide acne treatment, examinations, and dermatology services for all skin types, and we can work with you in identifying and achieving your cosmetic and health goals.
How We Can Help
We treat a number of skin conditions for patients of all ages. We provide treatment for acne, eczema, dermatitis, and much more. We also offer pediatric dermatology services for children and adolescents.
- Acne/Rosacea
- Childhood/Adolescent Skin Disorders
- Skin Infections/Skin Viruses/Warts
- Rashes
- Age Spots/Wrinkles
- Dermatitis/Eczema/Psoriasis
- Leg Vein Disorders
- Sun Damage
- Benign, Non-Contagious Skin Disorders
- Hair Loss/Thinning
- Pigmentation Disorders
- Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is extremely common, affecting people of all ages, genders, and skin types. At Cheyenne Skin Clinic, we monitor, diagnose, and treat different types of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal, and squamous cell skin cancer. We also perform skin cancer surgery.
Discovering you have or may be at risk of skin cancer can be a life-changing event. That’s why our team of dermatologists are here to answer your questions and guide you, every step of the way. We will develop a personalized treatment plan that will maximize your comfort and create the best prognosis. As a leading dermatology clinic in Cheyenne, WY, we personalize every patient’s treatment plan and work closely with the region’s top hospitals, oncologists, and cancer centers to help our patients receive comfortable, state-of-the-art care.
If it’s time for your annual skin cancer screening, or if you suspect skin cancer or other abnormalities and changes, please reach out to us today.
What are the common types of skin cancer?
The two most common types of skin cancer in Wyoming and the United States are basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. These skin cancers are often diagnosed with a skin biopsy. While you may be able to see the “top” of your skin cancer, basal and squamous cell carcinoma can have microscopic “roots” in deeper layers of the skin. If left untreated, these “roots” may grow and destroy healthy skin or even acquire the ability to spread to other areas of the body.
Once confirmed, your dermatologist may recommend either Mohs surgery or standard excision as a treatment of your skin cancer. Please let us know if you have any questions about the treatment recommended for your cancer as we want you to be informed and choose the method you feel is best for you.
Treatment Options for Skin Cancer
Treatment options for your skin cancer depend on various factors such as the type and stage of the cancer, as well as your overall health. Some common treatments include:
Surgery
According to national and international guidelines, surgery is the recommended treatment for skin cancer for most patients. The surgeon removes the cancerous tissue along with a margin of healthy skin and this tissue is examined under a microscope to ensure all the cancer cells are removed. All surgical treatments result in scar formation, some of which can be minimized by surgical technique.
Types of surgery for skin cancer include:
Mohs Surgery (microscopically controlled surgery)
This technique involves removing thin layers of skin containing the cancer cells and then examining them under a microscope while the patient waits in the office. This allows for the surgeon to examine all the edges and achieve a high cure rate while minimizing the healthy skin that is removed. Sutures are often placed to aid in the healing process.
Excisional Surgery
The cancer is surgically removed and the tissue is sent to a laboratory for examination with the pathology results available in a few days. The area will typically be closed using sutures.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses energy rays to kill cancer cells and is typically used in patients for whom surgery is not the best option. This treatment is non-invasive but does require many (sometimes daily) treatments over several weeks and results in radiation damage to the treated skin. Side effects such as fatigue may occur. There is no microscopic examination of the tissue to ensure all the cancer is removed.
Curettage and electrodessication
The tumor is scaped off the skin using a sharp curette and the area burned with an electric needle to destroy any remaining cancer cells. No tissue is sent for microscopic examination, and the wound is left to heal on its own.
Topical Medications
For select superficial skin cancer types, topical creams containing chemotherapy drugs or immune system modifiers may be used to treat the cancer. These creams are used over several weeks and create an expected temporary redness to the area treated. This option is non-invasive and no microscopic examination of the tissue is performed.
Oral Medications
For selected advanced skin cancers, oral chemotherapy medications may be recommended. These medications may shrink or reduce the cancer but often do not result in a permanent cure. Side effects may also be significant, including hair loss, nausea, diarrhea and muscle cramps.
Your provider will select the option they feel would be best to treat your skin cancer, but please inform us if you have any questions about these options.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Drs. Julie Neville and Paul Massey are fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery. Mohs surgery is a surgical technique performed at the Cheyenne Skin Clinic. It is up to 99% effective at eradicating basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Mohs surgery is designed to ensure all of the “roots” of your skin cancer are removed on the day of your procedure.
Thus, many skin cancer experts refer to Mohs surgery as the gold standard for skin cancer treatment in certain locations of the body, for example, the central face, eyelids/eyebrows, nose, lips, ears, eyelids, hands, feet and ankles. Skin cancers that have recurred after previous treatment are particularly appropriate candidates for Mohs surgery.
What occurs during the Mohs surgery?
During Mohs surgery, the surgeon preserves as much healthy skin as possible by removing the roots of the skin cancer in staged layers under local anesthesia. These layers are then tested in our on-site lab while you wait with us. The testing process is highly technical and involved, requiring specialized lab personnel who will deep freeze your tissue and make slides to allow Drs. Neville and Massey to determine under the microscope whether or not the tumor has been entirely removed. The waiting period for the testing process can take anywhere from 1-2 hours per layer. Most tumors are removed in 1 or 2 layers, but some with deeper “roots” may require more.
What occurs after the cancer is removed?
After the cancer is removed, your Mohs surgeon will discuss the reconstruction phase of the procedure with you. The goal of reconstruction is to allow the wound created by the tumor removal to heal as well as possible with the best cosmetic outcome. Most often, your surgeon will place a line of stitches in your skin to close the wound.
For deeper or larger wounds, your surgeon may perform a flap (movement of skin from one part of the body to another to cover the wound) or apply a graft (replacement of the wound with skin from another part of the body). As with any surgical procedure, there will always be a scar following skin cancer removal and reconstruction.
The “pros” of Mohs surgery:
Designed to ensure all of the “roots” of your skin cancer are removed on the day of your procedure
Achieving the lowest risk of cancer recurrence possible, particularly for cancers in certain locations of the body at higher risk for recurrence
Preserving the maximal amount of healthy tissue to create the smallest scar and optimal cosmetic outcome possible after skin cancer surgery
The “cons” of Mohs surgery:
Waiting in the office for results while your tissue is processed is time-consuming
In some instances, Mohs surgery can be more expensive than other types of skin cancer removal
Standard Excision
Drs. Sandra Surbrugg, Julie Neville and Paul Massey perform excisions at the Cheyenne Skin Clinic. Excision is highly effective at removing basal and squamous cell carcinomas and is the standard of care for the treatment of invasive melanoma.
What occurs during the excision appointment?
During your excision appointment, your surgeon will draw a “safety margin” of skin around the lesion to be removed. Under local anesthesia, your surgeon will then remove a football-shaped block of skin, including the “safety margin,” and send it to our lab for testing. Typically, your surgeon will then immediately close the wound created by this removal and place a line of stitches to facilitate healing. You should plan to be at the clinic for approximately 30 to 45 minutes for your appointment. As with any surgical procedure, there will always be a scar following skin cancer removal.
What happens after the procedure?
In the days following the procedure, our on-site lab and pathologist will test the tissue to ensure the tumor has been removed completely. The majority of the time, the cancer will be completely removed and no further surgical treatment is needed. You will be asked to follow-up with your dermatologist for ongoing skin cancer screening. If the removal is incomplete, you may need an additional surgical procedure, which our staff will discuss with you.
The “pros” of standard excision:
Surgical excision can be performed faster than Mohs surgery which may be of benefit to patients who cannot tolerate the longer wait in the office
Typically less expensive than Mohs surgery
Achieves similar cure rate to Mohs surgery for selected lower risk cancers
The “cons” of standard excision:
Less tissue is examined by the pathologist which may result in a higher risk of cancer recurrence
A larger amount of normal tissue is removed which may result in a longer scar
Additional Dermatology Services
When you undergo treatment at Cheyenne Skin Clinic, you’ll always receive the finest level of care from our industry-leading staff. Because we’re a multifaceted dermatology clinic, you can receive treatment for all your skincare needs under one roof. We’re passionate about helping our patients achieve their best and most beautiful skin, and working with them throughout all their skincare changes.
We work in conjunction with the Vein Treatment Center of Cheyenne and Adora Day Spa. If you have concerns about varicose veins, cellulite, wrinkles, or sun damage, we’re happy to provide you with further treatment at these facilities.
Have questions?
Contact us & we’ll be in touch with you soon!
Cheyenne Skin Clinic
123 Western Hills Blvd
Cheyenne, WY 82009
Phone: 307-635-0226
Fax: 307-635-1924
Email: patients@cheyenneskinclinic.com
Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8 am – 5pm
Friday: 8 am – 4 pm
(Closed Saturday & Sunday)