Skin Cancer | The Office of Dr. Vincent Hung
After treatment, many skin cancer patients feel relieved that their skin cancer has been removed. However, treatment does not simply end with removal. Regular check-ups and self-exams are vital for early detection and treatment planning.
So, how often should you see a dermatologist after skin cancer treatment? The answer depends on the type of skin cancer you had, your risk of recurrence, your history of sun damage, and whether you have developed skin cancer before. This blog will discuss such factors and how to proceed with your treatment beyond just surgery.
4 Min. Read:
Table of Contents
- Why Follow-Up Visits Matter After Skin Cancer Treatment
- How Often Should My Follow-Up Visits Be?
- What Happens During a Follow-Up Skin Exam?
- When Should You Call Before Your Next Scheduled Visit?
- Why Choosing the Right Provider Matters for Follow-Up Care
- FAQ About Dermatology Visits After Skin Cancer Treatment
Why Follow-Up Visits Matter After Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin cancer treatment does not end when the cancer is removed. Follow-up visits help your provider monitor the treated area, check for recurrence, evaluate healing, and look for new suspicious spots.
Specific follow-up schedules depend on the type of skin cancer and other individual factors. During these visits, Dr. Hung may ask about symptoms and examine you for signs of skin cancer.
These appointments also give you a chance to discuss scar healing, post-operative symptoms, preventing sun exposure, and any new spots you have noticed. If your skin cancer was treated on the face, nose, lips, ears, eyelids, scalp, hands, or neck, follow-up care can also help monitor both function and appearance as healing continues.
How Often Should My Follow-Up Visits Be?
In general, most patients, especially those diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, should expect at least yearly skin exams after a skin cancer diagnosis.
Many patients also need more frequent visits, especially during the first few years after treatment. For example, patients who have been previously or are currently diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer are recommended to attend follow-up visits every three to six months for the first few years, followed by longer intervals.
Your personal schedule will ultimately depend on the cancer type, location, pathology results, treatment history, immune status, and overall risk factors.
Follow-Up After Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is often treatable, but patients who have had one skin cancer can develop another. Annual or semi-annual checks are recommended for patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma to monitor for recurrence or new primary skin cancers.
You may need closer monitoring if your basal cell carcinoma was recurrent, aggressive, large, located in a high-risk area, or treated after a delay. Mohs surgery is an effective treatment for recurrent cancers or cancers with a potentially high recurrence rate.
Follow-Up After Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma may require closer follow-up than basal cell carcinoma, especially if the tumor has high-risk features. Most squamous cell carcinomas are slow growing and easily treated, but some can be fast growing, extensive, spread, or travel along nerves. More aggressive cases can occur in immunosuppressed patients, such as organ transplant patients.
Patients who have had squamous cell skin cancers often have follow-up visits every three to six months for the first few years, then longer periods between visits. If your squamous cell carcinoma was large, deep, recurrent, located on the lip or ear, involved nerves, or occurred while you were immunosuppressed, your doctor may recommend a higher skin cancer screening frequency.
Follow-Up After Melanoma or Unusual Skin Cancer
Melanoma follow-up depends strongly on the melanoma’s stage and the risk of recurrence. Patients with early-stage melanomas that were completely removed may have physical exams every six to 12 months for several years. For thicker melanomas or those that have spread beyond the skin, exams may be performed every three to six months for several years, and imaging may be recommended in some cases.
Melanoma usually presents as a darker-colored lesion that has recently appeared or changed in color, border, or size. Mohs surgery can be used to treat certain kinds of melanoma or unusual skin cancer conditions.
Because melanoma follow-up depends on staging and individual risk, you should follow the schedule Dr. Hung will provide.
What Happens During a Follow-Up Skin Exam?
During a follow-up visit, your doctor may examine the previous treatment site, assess the scar, review your symptoms, and examine your skin for new or changing lesions.
If a suspicious spot appears, your doctor may recommend a biopsy or another form of evaluation. If you had reconstruction after skin cancer removal, your visit may also include a review of scar healing, contour, tightness, numbness, or any post-operative concerns.
Dr. Hung makes every effort to restore appearance as naturally as possible. The most important factor is to effectively remove skin cancer while helping patients regain peace and restore self-esteem after surgery.
When Should You Call Before Your Next Scheduled Visit?
You should not wait for your next routine skin check if you notice a concerning change. Call for an earlier appointment if you notice:
- A sore that does not heal
- A new bump, patch, or lesion near the treatment site
- Bleeding, crusting, or repeated scabbing
- A mole or spot changing in size, shape, color, or border
- New pain, tenderness, numbness, or irritation
- A scar that changes, opens, thickens, or becomes painful
For melanoma survivors, many doctors recommend self-exams of the skin and lymph nodes at least monthly, and patients should see a doctor for any new lump or skin change.
Why Choosing the Right Provider Matters for Follow-Up Care
Long-term follow-up is not only about checking boxes. It is about protecting your health, monitoring healing, and having a clear plan if another suspicious lesion appears. Dr. Hung is a leading expert in skin cancer treatment for patients in Pasadena seeking follow-up care.
Dr. Vincent Hung is a triple board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Internal Medicine, Dermatology, and Plastic Surgery. For patients who need both thorough skin cancer treatment and detailed reconstructive care, he is fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery. This allows Dr. Hung to have a comprehensive understanding of skin cancer treatment and its nuances.
Under his care, you can expect a patient philosophy that centers on pre- and post-operative counseling, education, and care to facilitate the smoothest treatment tailored to your needs.
FAQ About Dermatology Visits After Skin Cancer Treatment
How often should I see a dermatologist after skin cancer treatment?
Many patients need, at the very minimum, annual skin exams after skin cancer treatment. Basal cell carcinoma follow-up visits are often recommended every six to 12 months, while squamous cell carcinoma follow-up visits are often every three to six months for the first few years.
Do I still need skin checks if my Mohs surgery removed all the cancer?
Yes. Mohs surgery can remove the treated cancer with precision, but follow-up visits still matter because skin cancer can recur and new skin cancers can develop.
Should I check my own skin between appointments?
Yes. It’s recommended to examine your own skin at least once a month after basal or squamous cell skin cancer treatment.
What if I see a new spot before my next visit?
Schedule an evaluation sooner. A new or changing spot, a sore that does not heal, bleeding lesion, or a change near your scar should be examined rather than watched indefinitely.
Will I need more frequent visits if I had melanoma?
You may. Follow-up frequency after melanoma depends on stage, recurrence risk, and other factors. Early-stage melanoma may require physical exams every six to 12 months for several years, while thicker or more advanced melanomas may require exams every three to six months for several years.
Can Dr. Hung treat another skin cancer if one appears?
Dr. Hung’s practice specializes in Mohs surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, and cosmetic plastic surgery. Mohs surgery can treat most basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, as well as certain melanomas or unusual skin cancer conditions.
Schedule a Skin Cancer Follow-Up Consultation in Pasadena, CA
After skin cancer treatment, follow-up care helps protect your skin, your health, and your peace of mind. The right schedule depends on your diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment history, but regular exams can help detect recurrence or a new skin cancer earlier.
To schedule a skin cancer follow-up consultation with Dr. Hung, call (626) 432-5032 or fill out the online contact form. Dr. Hung has offices in both Pasadena and Newport.
