A wide excision is a common surgical procedure used to remove skin cancer. During this procedure, the cancerous lesion is removed along with a small margin of healthy surrounding tissue to help ensure that all cancer cells are eliminated. The area is typically excised in the shape of a football-like ellipse, which allows the skin to be neatly closed with sutures afterward.
Once the tissue is removed, it is sent to a pathologist for processing and careful examination of the margins to confirm that the cancer has been completely excised.
Wide excision is often used for:
When caught early, a wide excision can be curative, particularly for melanoma. However, in some cases, additional treatments may be needed if the cancer is more advanced or if margins are not clear.
Because wide excision involves removing a margin of healthy skin, it typically results in a larger wound compared to other procedures. However, this approach offers a high success rate in clearing cancer and preventing recurrence when used appropriately.