What is Cryotherapy (Cryosurgery)?

What is Cryotherapy (Cryosurgery)? | St. Louis, Missouri Cryosurgery, also known as cryotherapy, refers to the use of extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen (or argon gas) to annihilate abnormal tissue.

Cryosurgery is used in the treatment of external tumors, such as those on the skin. To treat external tumors, the doctor will apply liquid nitrogen directly to the cancer cells with a spraying device or a cotton swab.

Additionally, cryosurgery is used to treat tumors within the body (tumors in the bone or internal tumors). The treatment of internal tumors involves circulating liquid nitrogen or argon gas through a hollow instrument (cryoprobe), which is placed in contact with the tumor.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) provide advanced skin care procedures to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding communities.

How does Cryotherapy Work?

The doctor makes use of ultrasound or MRI to guide the cryoprobe and view the freezing of the cells. This limits damage to neighboring healthy tissue. Ultrasound causes sound waves to be bounced off organs and other tissues to create a picture known as a sonogram.

A ball of ice crystals develops around the probe which freezes the neighboring cells. At times, more than one probe is used to deliver liquid nitrogen to multiple areas of the tumor. The probes may be put into the tumor through the skin (percutaneously) or during surgery.

Following cryosurgery, the frozen tissue thaws, and it is either naturally absorbed by the body (in the case of internal tumors) or it dissolves and develops a scab (in the case of external tumors).

What forms of cancer can be treated with cryosurgery?

Cryosurgery is used in the treatment of various types of cancerous as well as certain precancerous or noncancerous conditions. Other than liver and prostate tumors, cryosurgery can effectively treat the following conditions:

Retinoblastoma (which is a childhood cancer that impacts the retina of the eye)
Doctors report that cryosurgery is most effective when the tumor is tiny and only in specific areas of the retina
Early stage skin cancers (Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas)
Precancerous skin growths called actinic keratosis
Precancerous conditions of the cervix called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (which is abnormal cell changes in the cervix that may develop into cervical cancer)

Researchers are assessing cryosurgery as a treatment for various skin cancers, including colon, breast, and kidney cancer.

They are also studying the effect of cryotherapy combined with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.

Benefits of Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is advantageous over other types of cancer treatment. It is less invasive in comparison to surgery, involving only a tiny incision or insertion of the cryoprobe through the skin. As a result, bleeding, pain, and other surgical complications are minimized.

Cryosurgery is less expensive in comparison to other treatments and involves shorter recovery time, and a briefer hospital stay or no hospital stay in some cases. At times, cryosurgery can be undertaken using only local anesthesia.

As doctors can focus on cryosurgical treatment in a precise area, they can prevent damage to neighboring healthy tissue. The treatment can be repeated in a safe manner and may be used in combination with standard treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and hormone therapy.

Cryosurgery may present an option for the treatment of cancers that are thought to be inoperable or those that are unresponsive to standard treatments. On top of this, it can be used for patients who are not suitable candidates for traditional surgery due to their age or health conditions.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) receive patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and nearby areas for safe and proven skin care treatments.
If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Dermatologist FAQ: What is Psoriasis?

Dermatologist FAQ: What is Psoriasis? | St. Louis, Missouri Psoriasis is not only a superficial dermatological condition. It is actually a condition that develops beneath the skin. Psoriasis refers to a chronic or long-lasting condition of the immune system that can range from mild to severe.

At times, this condition may be linked to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

How Psoriasis Develops

Psoriasis symptoms that appear on the skin’s surface are only a part of the story. The body only takes around 28 to 30 days to create new skin cells and shed old ones with healthy skin.

Individuals who have psoriasis have immune systems that become overactive leading to skin inflammation. This, in turn, causes the skin cells to be produced at a faster rate than normal. The new skin cells are pushed to the surface of the skin in three to four days rather than the standard 28 to 30 days.

However, the body cannot shed new skin cells quickly. This leads to the old, dead skin cells accumulating over each other as new skin cells are being produced rapidly.

The fast generation of new skin cells causes the old cells to be pushed to the skin’s surface leading to the development of thick, itchy, flaky, and red patches called plaques.

However, the exact reason for the occurrence of psoriasis is not known.

Psoriasis Types

Many people are unaware that there are many types of psoriasis. But a patient usually experiences only one type of condition at a given time. Each form of psoriasis has different symptoms and can manifest on the skin in various ways.

It is important to understand as well as share with other people that regardless of where the psoriasis is located on the body or what it appears like, it is not a contagious condition.

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis appears as elevated, swollen, red lesions that are covered by silvery white scales. This condition usually develops on the knees, scalp, lower back, and elbows. This form of psoriasis occurs most frequently, and around 80 percent of all psoriasis patients have plaque psoriasis.

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis usually initiates in childhood or young adulthood. This form of psoriasis occurs in the form of small, pink individual spots on the arms, legs, and torso. These spots are typically not as thick as plaque outbreaks.

Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis develops in areas such as the groin, armpits, under the breasts, or other skin folds in the butt and genital region. This form of psoriasis looks like bright red lesions that are shiny and smooth.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis usually occurs in adults and is characterized by the presence of blisters non-infectious pus surrounded by red skin. This condition may be limited to specific areas of the body such as the hands and feet, or cover a substantial area of the body.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

This type of psoriasis is especially inflammatory and impacts most of the body’s surface. Its distinguishing feature is the presence of occasional, extensive red skin and the shedding of skin in scales.

Psoriasis and Joint Pain

If a patient with psoriasis also experiences stiffness, pain, and inflammation in and around their joints, they may be suffering from the symptoms of a condition related to psoriasis known as psoriatic arthritis.

If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Dermatologist FAQ: Psoriasis Treatments

Dermatologist FAQ: Psoriasis Treatments | St. Louis, Missouri It can be hard to find the right psoriasis treatment or combination of psoriasis treatments. What is effective for one person may not work for another.

Therefore, it is important to understand the latest treatments. It is vital for patients to work with their doctor to identify the best treatment plan to eliminate or reduce psoriasis symptoms.

Biologics

Biologic medications, or biologics, are usually prescribed for moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis that has been unresponsive to other treatments. Biologics are administered by injection or intravenous (IV) infusion.

The biologics used in the treatment of psoriatic disease obstruct the action of a particular type of immune cell known as a T cell, or block proteins in the immune system, such as interleukins 12 and 23, alpha (TNF-alpha), or interleukin 17-A.

These cells and proteins all play a significant role in the development of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Systemics

Systemic treatments refer to prescription medications that are taken by mouth or by injection and work throughout the body. Systemics are usually prescribed for moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Systemic drugs work throughout the body and are typically used for people with moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These drugs are also used for people who are unresponsive or unable to take topical medicines or UV light therapy.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy (light therapy) involves exposing the skin to UV light on a routine basis under medical supervision.

Phototherapy is administered in a physician’s clinic, psoriasis clinic, or at home with a phototherapy unit. Consistency is considered to be the key to success with light therapy.

UVB Phototherapy

Ultraviolet B (UVB) is found in natural sunlight and is an effective treatment for psoriasis. UVB goes into the skin and delays the growth of the impacted skin cells. The treatment involves exposing the skin to an artificial source of UVB light for a specific duration on a routine basis.

New Oral Treatments

New oral treatments improve psoriasis symptoms by inhibiting particular molecules associated with inflammation. These treatments can be delivered as tablets taken orally, unlike biologics, which are derived from living sources and must be administered via infusion or injection.

New oral treatments are small molecule drugs that are taken by mouth. These new oral treatments target specific molecules inside immune cells, unlike earlier pills used for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

These treatments correct the overactive immune reactions that cause swelling in individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis by adjusting the complex process of inflammation within the cell. This adjustment leads to improvement in the scaliness, redness, inflammation, and joint tenderness.

Topicals

Topical treatments are applied to the skin and are usually the initial treatment recommended to a newly diagnosed individual. Topicals can be bought OTC or by prescription.

There are various effective topical treatments for psoriasis. Many of these treatments can be purchased OTC, while others are available by prescription only.

Corticosteroids, or merely “steroids,” are the most commonly used treatment for psoriasis. They are called anti-inflammatory agents as they reduce the inflammation and redness of the lesions. Synthetic vitamin D3, vitamin A, and Anthralin are also used in prescription topical treatments to manage psoriasis outbreaks.

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Reconstructive Surgery After Cancer

Reconstructive Surgery After Cancer | St. Louis, Missouri Reconstructive surgery offers a way to recover the cosmetic appearance and functional structures that may be damaged during the removal of cancerous or benign growths.

The patient may require advanced reconstruction due to the depth and location of the growth that has been eliminated, the amount of skin excised to ensure full removal, or the insufficiency of adjacent skin (such as in areas around the ear or nose) to close the defect.

Such patients may require flaps, skin grafting, or other reconstructive techniques to restore their natural appearance and features.

When is Reconstructive Surgery Appropriate?

If a patient has had surgery to remove a cancerous or benign lesion, they will have a surgical defect that will require reconstruction to repair the wound.

If the lesion of eliminated through Mohs surgery or another surgical procedure, such as excisional surgery, the patient may require reconstruction. In some cases, the surgical defect may be allowed to heal by itself.

In many cases, a straight line of sutures is all that is necessary. If the lesions are eliminated from areas with insufficient surrounding tissue, specifically prominent facial areas such as the ear and nose, it may be challenging to close the wound side by side with a straight line.

In such cases of flaps, skin grafting, or other reconstructive techniques may be necessary to repair the surgical defect.The experience and credentials of Dr. McGinness allow patients to regain their self-confidence that comes naturally through their traditional aesthetic appearance, even after a complex surgical procedure.

What Types of Reconstructive Surgery are available?

The treatment of skin cancer is most crucial, reconstruction after the surgery is important as well. After the removal of malignant cells, Dr. McGinness will discuss with the patient how to repair the surgical defect.

One of the following options will usually be chosen, depending on the depth, location, and size of the surgical defect.

Allowing the wound to heal on its own or second intention healing
Closing the wound in a side-by-side manner with stitches
Using a skin graft (skin sourced from another body area) or a flap (using skin adjacent to the wound) to seal the defect
Referral to another reconstructive surgical expert for wound repair

Following the removal of cancerous or non-cancerous reconstructive surgery is an effective way to ensure that the patient looks and feels their best in the recovery phase.

Recovery

The surgeon will cover the incision site with a bandage and dressing after the procedure. The stitches may be taken in around one week.

Prescription pain medications will help manage mild pain during the initial few days. Patients should avoid aggressive activities for a few days, but they can return their normal routine or work after one to two weeks.

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

What is Cryotherapy (Cryosurgery)?

Monthly Archives: June 2019