Managing Skin Malignancies- How Family Doctors, Plastic Surgeons, and Dermatologists Can Help

Skin cancer is common. General practitioners, general surgeons, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons all play a role in the management of cutaneous malignancies. Because patients are in contact with their primary care physicians more frequently, primary care physicians are instrumental in early detection and non-surgical management. Additionally, patient survival is statistically improved when a dermatologist is involved in patient care. Significant overlap in scope of practice exists, particularly between plastic surgeons and dermatologists. Either specialty may perform wide local excision or Mohs microsurgery as the definitive surgical management for skin cancers. A review of reconstructive challenges by region may act as a guide for which cases may ultimately require the expertise of a reconstructive surgeon.