A clear diagnosis. An individualized plan. Attention to healing.
Have a suspicious skin spot or a biopsy report showing skin cancer? Fox Valley Plastic Surgery can evaluate your concern and discuss appropriate procedural care. Bring your biopsy report and any treatment records so we can review the diagnosis and next steps.
Contact our team to arrange an evaluation with Jay Garrow, PA-C. We welcome patients from Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Fond du Lac and surrounding communities.
Skin cancer develops when abnormal skin cells grow uncontrollably, often because of damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. It is one of the most common forms of cancer and can develop anywhere on the body, including areas that receive little sun exposure. Skin cancers vary in appearance, growth rate, and treatment needs. Early evaluation is important because some types can invade surrounding tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing skin cancer:
Not every skin cancer can be prevented, but protecting your skin from UV exposure can significantly reduce your risk.
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are rough, dry, or scaly patches that develop from years of sun exposure. They commonly appear on the face, scalp, ears, arms, and backs of the hands.
Although actinic keratoses are not invasive skin cancer, they are considered precancerous because some can progress to squamous cell carcinoma.
Unlike seborrheic keratoses, which are benign growths, actinic keratoses require medical evaluation and may benefit from treatment.
For patients with multiple actinic keratoses, Fox Valley Plastic Surgery offers Levulan® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy as a non-surgical treatment option for appropriate lesions.
At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, treatment begins with an evaluation of the skin lesion, its location, and any previous biopsy results. Our providers consider the diagnosis, your overall health, potential for scarring, and anticipated healing when recommending treatment.
Many skin cancers can be surgically removed in the office using local anesthesia. The cancer is removed along with an appropriate margin of surrounding tissue, and the specimen is submitted for pathology to evaluate the diagnosis and surgical margins.
Larger or more complex skin cancers may require operating room treatment, specialized closure, or coordination with other specialists.
Removal of skin cancer involves more than removing the visible lesion. Our plastic surgery team considers the size and location of the resulting wound, surrounding structures, and the best method of closure to support healing and minimize unnecessary scarring.
For patients with appropriate precancerous actinic keratoses, Levulan Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) offers a non-surgical treatment option.
The procedure combines a topical medication containing aminolevulinic acid (ALA) with specialized blue light. The medication makes abnormal cells sensitive to light, allowing the treatment to target precancerous skin cells.
Levulan PDT may be especially beneficial for patients with multiple actinic keratoses in a treatment area, including eligible areas of the face, scalp, or upper extremities.
Benefits may include:
Levulan PDT is not a substitute for biopsy or surgical removal of a suspected or confirmed invasive skin cancer.
Some patients have both skin cancers requiring surgical removal and surrounding actinic keratoses that may benefit from Levulan therapy. When appropriate, our providers can coordinate these treatments as part of a comprehensive skin care plan.
Bring your medication list and any biopsy reports. Tell us about blood thinners, allergies and previous healing problems.
Recovery depends on the treatment performed, the location, and the extent of the area treated.
Following Surgical Removal
Patients receive individualized wound care instructions based on the size and location of the incision. Sutures may be required, and healing time varies depending on the complexity of the procedure. Pathology results and follow-up care are important parts of treatment.
Following Levulan Blue Light Therapy
Patients may experience redness, swelling, peeling, crusting, or temporary sensitivity following photodynamic therapy. These effects generally improve as the skin heals.
Strict protection from sunlight and bright light is required for at least 40 hours after Levulan application, or as directed by your provider and the product-specific instructions.
Our team will explain what to expect, provide aftercare instructions, and arrange follow-up when appropriate.
Patients with skin cancer may also have precancerous lesions, sun damage, or other benign skin growths that would benefit from treatment. We can coordinate surgical and non-surgical treatments when medically appropriate.
A patient undergoing surgical removal of a skin cancer may also have surrounding actinic keratoses caused by years of sun exposure. Following evaluation and appropriate treatment of the cancer, Levulan Blue Light Therapy may be recommended for eligible precancerous lesions.
These treatments are generally planned separately to allow for proper diagnosis, wound healing, and recovery.
Patients with additional benign growths, such as cysts, moles, skin tags, or seborrheic keratoses, may be able to have multiple lesions removed during the same appointment when appropriate.
After surgical healing, patients may benefit from additional scar management or cosmetic treatments to improve the appearance of surrounding skin.
Our providers will recommend the appropriate sequence of treatments based on your diagnosis, skin condition, and individual goals.
We accept many insurance plans and offer self-pay options. Your insurance estimate depends on the evaluation, procedure, and size and location of the growth. Pathology fees are billed separately by the lab.
Medically necessary treatment may be covered, subject to your plan’s terms, deductible, copay and any authorization requirements. Cosmetic removal may not be covered. Verify your provider’s network status with your insurer.
Whether a consultation is considered medically necessary or cosmetic depends on the condition being evaluated and applicable insurance coverage.
Insurance-Based Consultations
For medically necessary conditions that may be covered by insurance, your consultation will be billed to your insurance provider. Applicable copays, deductibles, and coinsurance are the patient’s responsibility, based on their individual insurance plan.
Cosmetic Consultations
For cosmetic or elective procedures not covered by insurance, a $100 consultation fee is required. Consultation fees are non-refundable and are not applied toward the cost of treatment or procedures.
Performed by a Physician Assistant, a medium lesion up to 5 cm on the face with complex closure starts at $875 performed in the office under local anesthesia. Contact Fox Valley Plastic Surgery today to request a personalized cost estimate and ask about our convenient appointment availability.
Discounted self-pay pricing are available when multiple lesions are removed during the same appointment. The first lesion is full price, the 2nd is discounted 20%, and the 3rd and additional ones are each discounted 30%.
How Is the Cost of Removal Determined?
The cost of surgical removal is based primarily on the size of the incision and final wound closure, not the size of the visible mole, cyst, or skin growth. In many cases, the incision must be larger than the growth itself to allow for complete removal and proper closure. Pricing may also vary depending on the location of the growth, the complexity of the procedure, the type of closure required, and the selection of provider. Additional charges may apply for facial procedures or those requiring layered or complex suturing. Our providers will evaluate your condition and provide a personalized cost estimate before proceeding with treatment.
Surgical dermatology is an important part of the services we provide at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery. While we are not dermatologists, we work closely with local dermatologists who refer patients to us for surgical removal of skin lesions, cysts, and other growths, particularly when specialized closure techniques may be beneficial.
Your care starts with evaluating the growth and recommending an appropriate plan. When removal is recommended, we discuss the approach, closure and expected healing.
Our practice offers office-based procedural care for a range of medical and cosmetic skin concerns, with wound care guidance and follow-up. Schedule an evaluation with Jay Garrow, PA-C, and bring your questions.
Jay combines nearly two decades of surgical and emergency medicine experience with a personalized approach to minor skin procedures. Since 2022, he has worked alongside our plastic surgeons, assisting in surgery and managing postoperative recovery. Special interests: Skin growth removal, cysts, lipomas, wound care, and surgical healing.
Skin cancer may appear as a changing mole, a sore that does not heal, a persistent scaly patch, or a growth that bleeds or crusts. A medical evaluation and sometimes a biopsy are necessary to determine whether a lesion is cancerous.
Some skin cancers can be treated during an office visit using local anesthesia. However, the diagnosis, size, location, and complexity determine whether additional testing, planning, or a separately scheduled procedure is needed.
Actinic keratoses are precancerous growths caused by long-term sun exposure. Some can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. Early evaluation and appropriate treatment can help address these abnormal skin changes.
Levulan PDT is a non-surgical treatment that combines a light-sensitive topical medication with specialized blue light to treat appropriate actinic keratoses. It can treat multiple precancerous lesions within an eligible treatment area. It is used for certain precancerous actinic keratoses and does not replace necessary surgical removal of invasive skin cancer.
Medically necessary skin cancer surgery is often covered by insurance, subject to plan requirements. Levulan therapy may also be covered for eligible actinic keratoses, depending on the diagnosis, treatment area, and insurance policy.
Our team can discuss insurance requirements and anticipated self-pay costs before treatment.
Cancer at the specimen’s edges may mean further treatment is needed. Your provider will discuss the result and recommended next step.
Follow-up recommendations depend on your skin cancer history, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment results. Patients with previous skin cancer or multiple actinic keratoses may require regular examinations with their dermatologist or other qualified healthcare provider.
Patients with a melanoma diagnosis should contact our office with their biopsy results. Melanoma may require specialized surgery, additional testing, and coordination with dermatology, surgical oncology, or other specialists. Our team can help determine the appropriate next step.
Fox Valley Plastic Surgery provides surgical dermatology services for patients throughout Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Fond du Lac, and surrounding Fox Valley communities without a long wait time for appointment availability. Our experienced medical team evaluates and treats a wide range of skin conditions, from bothersome benign growths to lesions that may require testing for skin cancer. Many procedures can be performed conveniently in our office using local anesthesia, allowing patients to return home shortly after treatment.
Let’s discuss your next step. Get your questions answered and understand your treatment options. Call 920-233-1540.