Once the lab work shows that there are no more cancer cells, the surgeon closes the wound. That lets patients open their eyes comfortably while I’m working.” “If the tumor is right on the eyelid margin, I put a numbing drop in that eye and then insert an opaque contact lens. “During Mohs surgery, I’m able to do most of it with the patients’ eyes closed, so they don’t have to see what’s going on,” she says. This technique has very high cure rates, spares the greatest amount of healthy tissue and leaves the smallest scar possible.Įven if you’ve had previous skin cancer treatment, you might feel squeamish about having surgery near your eyes, says Dr. The doctor repeats this process until no cancer cells remain. If any cancer cells remain, the surgeon knows where they are and removes another layer of tissue only from that precise location, then performs the lab work on that specimen. After removing a layer of tissue, the Mohs surgeon examines 100 percent of the tumor margins under a microscope in an on-site lab. Specially trained dermatologic surgeons do this procedure in stages, while the patient waits between each stage. Mohs surgery is the treatment of choice for most nonmelanoma skin cancers near the eyes. Even though you might feel freaked out, for us it’s routine.” Treatment of Choice “This is such a common location to develop skin cancers, and dermatologic surgeons know how to manage them. If you’ve just been diagnosed with a nonmelanoma skin cancer near your eye, it may seem scary, but don’t panic, says New York City dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Désirée Ratner, MD. Melanoma, a more dangerous form of skin cancer, can occur around and in the eye, but it is far more rare. This type has a higher chance of spreading and, in a small number of cases, may become life-threatening. Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) account for a small percentage of eyelid cancers. While BCCs rarely spread to the lymph nodes or beyond, they can grow large enough to cause disfigurement around your eyes. The vast majority of skin cancers around the eyes are basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). For advice on what type of sunscreen to use around your eyes, see this “ Ask the Expert” article. Even among those who use sunscreen on their faces regularly, the most often-missed spots are around the eyelids, according to a small British study. Many people stop short of the eye area when applying products, mainly because of sensitivity concerns. Because of that, nonmelanoma skin cancers on and around the eyelids are common.Ī big hat and UV-blocking sunglasses can help, and so can sunscreen - if you actually use it around your eyes. The thin tissue surrounding them, however, including your upper and lower eyelids, is extremely vulnerable to damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Strong bony sockets called orbits encase and safeguard your eyes. When you think about how amazing your eyes are, wouldn’t you do anything to protect them? You can roll your eyes, flirt with them, do a double-take and express joy or despair without words. Your eyes can focus on a tiny splinter in the finger of a squirming child, a stop sign in the distance or stars blinking light-years away.
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