Smokers and former smokers face more complications after skin cancer surgery, reports a U.S. Study.
A team of researchers examined outcomes after 'Mohs reconstruction,' a procedure to remove a skin cancer lesion. Once the cancer is removed, usually from the head or neck, surgeons may close the site using a flap made from surrounding tissue or a graft of skin taken from another area of the body.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells. It can develop due to a continuous exposure to sun over the years.
Advertisement
‘People who smoke regularly experience more complications after skin cancer surgery. So, make sure to quit smoking to reduce complications such as infections, clots (hematomas), uncontrolled bleeding, or dead skin tissue.’
Read More..
Tweet it Now
Read More..
For the study, the research team analyzed outcomes for 1,008 patients who had Mohs reconstruction with flaps or grafts, including 128 current smokers and 385 former smokers.
Compared to people who never smoked, current smokers were more than nine times as likely to have acute complications such as infections, clots (hematomas), uncontrolled bleeding, or dead skin tissue. Ex-smokers were more than three times as likely to have these complications.
![Cigarette Smoking - A Silent Killer]( "Cigarette Smoking - A Silent Killer")
Smoking kills the smoker silently, pushing him towards serious illnesses, which slowly lead to death.
"Smoking having an adverse effect on healing and outcomes ... has been documented for other procedures, but not previously for the repair of wounds with flaps and grafts after skin cancer removal," said Dr. Ian Maher, a professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and senior author of the study.
On the other hand, good circulation is necessary for good healing, said Maher by email. "Smoking damages small blood vessels in many organs, including the skin. Having worse circulation slows healing and sets patients up for complications such as infection."
However, the research team says that smoking status did not appear to impact long-term outcomes. The findings of the study are published in the journal JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
One limitation of the study is that the research team lacked data on how much people smoked or for how long, and how recently any ex-smokers might have quit smoking.
However, current and former smokers should be aware that they have a higher risk for acute complications and do what they can to reduce their risk, said James Dinulos, founder of Seacoast Dermatology in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and a clinical associate professor of surgery at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in Hanover.
Source: Medindia
Cigarette Smoking - A Silent Killer
Smoking kills the smoker silently, pushing him towards serious illnesses, which slowly lead to death.
Advertisement
"Smoking having an adverse effect on healing and outcomes ... has been documented for other procedures, but not previously for the repair of wounds with flaps and grafts after skin cancer removal," said Dr. Ian Maher, a professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and senior author of the study.
On the other hand, good circulation is necessary for good healing, said Maher by email. "Smoking damages small blood vessels in many organs, including the skin. Having worse circulation slows healing and sets patients up for complications such as infection."
However, the research team says that smoking status did not appear to impact long-term outcomes. The findings of the study are published in the journal JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
One limitation of the study is that the research team lacked data on how much people smoked or for how long, and how recently any ex-smokers might have quit smoking.
However, current and former smokers should be aware that they have a higher risk for acute complications and do what they can to reduce their risk, said James Dinulos, founder of Seacoast Dermatology in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and a clinical associate professor of surgery at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in Hanover.
Source: Medindia
Advertisement
 Bariatric Surgery May Reduce Skin Cancer RiskBariatric surgery is a weight loss surgery which can reduce skin cancer risk. Obesity is a melanoma risk factor. Therefore, weight loss in individuals with obesity can lower the risk of skin cancer. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Research News
The discovery deepens our understanding of m6A biology and stress granule formation, with implications for neurodegenerative diseases.
Trouble with sleep and the body's clock may increase your risk for Parkinson's, as per a new study.
New study uncovers a link between nocturnal hot flashes and Alzheimer's risk in menopausal women, suggesting a potential biomarker.
Our discovery revealed that a minority of individuals attributed their chronic pain to their brain's involvement.
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport syndrome is overlooked by athletes and can be worsened by 'sports culture' due to its perceived short-term performance benefits.
