Skin Cancer Treatment
Facing a skin cancer diagnosis—or even waiting on biopsy results—can bring up a wave of worry, uncertainty, and questions about what comes next. We want you to know that you do not have to navigate this alone. At Knoxville Center for Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, our highest priority is to surround you with expert medical care, clear communication, and a warm, supportive environment.
Our practice offers a uniquely reassuring approach to skin cancer care. By bringing board-certified dermatologist Dr. Carley Fowler and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Fowler under one roof, we coordinate your entire treatment seamlessly. From removing the lesion cleanly to ensuring your skin heals with minimal scarring, our team is dedicated to protecting your health, your peace of mind, and your natural appearance.
We listen carefully to your concerns, review your pathology results together, and explain all your options in plain, straightforward language—never rushing you through a decision.
Our clinic combines expert knowledge with advanced technology for effective, personalized care.
Having dermatology and plastic surgery working side-by-side means your health and your visual outcome are given equal, expert priority from day one.
We guide you through wound care instructions, provide personal follow-up, and design a routine skin screening schedule to keep your skin healthy for the long term.
A skin cancer diagnosis can understandably be very scary for anyone. At this point, understanding your treatment options and the choices you have to make can seem daunting. At Knoxville Center for Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, our goal is to answer any questions you may have and to find a treatment that is right for you. We’re here to walk with you every step of your treatment process. Our board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Carley Fowler, specializes in skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. She’ll be able to work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your situation and type of skin cancer.
If found and treated early, skin cancer has a very high survival rate. In fact, the five-year survival rate for early detection of melanoma is 99% in the US. The key to a positive prognosis is treating skin cancer as early as possible. There are many different treatment options depending on the type of skin cancer you have.
BCC is the most common and least aggressive type of skin cancer. It is important to treat any instances of BCC early to prevent any additional growth of the tumor, which can make it more difficult to treat. If caught early, and not on the face, oftentimes BCC can be treated with a “scrape and burn procedure” called Electrodesiccation and Curettage. Excisional surgery is another type of treatment that involves the doctor cutting out the tumor and surrounding tissue. If the skin cancer is near the eye, lip, nose, or ear, oftentimes a special type of excisional surgery called Mohs surgery is indicated. Other common treatment options include topical therapy, cryosurgery, laser surgery, and radiation. For early cases of BCC, most treatments can be completed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.
SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer. If treated early, SCC has a low likelihood of spreading to other parts of the body; however, it does tend to spread to other parts of the body more often than BCC. Possible treatment options for SCC include Electrodesiccation and Curettage (scrape & burn), surgical excision, Mohs Surgery, topical medication, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.
Melanoma is one of the more dangerous forms of skin cancer that occurs when the pigment-producing skin cells (melanocytes) become cancerous. The most common forms of treatment for melanoma include surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation.
Every person—and every diagnosis—is unique. During your consultation, we carefully evaluate the type, size, and location of the lesion, as well as your personal health and goals, to create a customized treatment plan:
At Knoxville Center for Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, Dr. Carley Fowler can diagnose and treat any of your skin cancer concerns with a personalized treatment plan.
Our team will help you understand all of your options as well as the potential risks and benefits. Our team will also recommend an interval at which you should be screened based on the type and number of skin cancers in your history.
Any procedure that removes skin tissue will leave a mark, but our team uses advanced plastic surgery techniques to hide incision lines along natural skin creases, ensuring your final scar fades as discreetly as possible.
All excised tissue is sent to an accredited pathology laboratory to confirm that the borders (margins) are completely clear of cancer cells. We review these results with you as soon as they are ready.
No. Your treatment area is thoroughly numbed using local anesthesia before any procedure begins. Most patients experience only mild tightness or soreness during initial healing, easily managed with over the counter pain medication.
Because a history of skin cancer increases your risk for future spots, we typically recommend a full-body skin exam every 3 to 6 months initially, transitioning to annual visits once your skin remains clear.
