Colorado’s skin care expert
Compassionate and Professional Skin Care in Colorado.
Welcome to Our Practice.
This site will acquaint you with our practice and give you a better understanding of how our facility works. We take great pride in our staff’s training and professional capabilities. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding your medical care, fees, insurance, or other office policies. We are concerned about you and welcome any suggestions that will improve the care you receive.
We are always happy to listen to any suggestions regarding our office procedures. It is essential that our patients are well informed, relaxed, happy, and above all, confident.
Karen J. Sundby, M.D.
EDUCATION
University of Colorado School of Medicine Doctorate
Chief Resident, University of Colorado
Fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, John A. Zitelli, M.D. and David G. Brodland, M.D.
SPECIALITIES
Mohs Surgery
Dermatologic Surgery
Cutaneous Oncology
What is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery, an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer, offers the highest potential for recovery – even if the skin cancer has been previously treated. This procedure is state-of-the-art treatment in which the physician serves as surgeon, pathologist, and reconstructive surgeon. It relies on the accuracy of a microscope to trace and ensure removal of skin cancer down to its roots.
This technique allows dermatologists trained in Mohs surgery to see beyond the visible disease and to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, leaving healthy tissue unharmed. This procedure is most often used in treating two of the most common forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to our most common questions below. If you’re looking to access your account, you can also access your portal, update your documents, or make a payment by clicking below.
Mohs micrographic surgery, an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer, offers the highest potential for recovery – even if the skin cancer has been previously treated. Click here for more information about Mohs Surgery.
Dr. Sundby is a specialist both in dermatology and pathology. With her extensive knowledge of the skin and unique pathological skills, she is able to remove only diseased tissue, preserving healthy tissue and minimizing the cosmetic impact of the surgery. Dr. Sundby is fellowship trained by a program recognized and approved by the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS).
The ACMS currently recognizes more than 50 training centers where qualified applicants receive comprehensive training in Mohs micrographic surgery. The minimum training period is one year during which the dermatologist acquires extensive experience in all aspects of Mohs surgery, pathology and training in reconstructive surgery.
Your appointment will be scheduled early in the day. Our staff will escort you into a surgical suite where the surgeon will numb the area around the skin cancer. Once it is numb, the visible cancer and a thin layer of tissue will be removed. The tissue is carefully mapped by the surgeon and taken to our laboratory where the technician will immediately process the microscope slides for the surgeon’s examination. You will have a temporary bandage placed over the wound and you will be free to return to the reception area.
The surgical procedure alone takes only 10-15 minutes. However, it takes a minimum of 1-2 hours to prepare and microscopically examine the tissues of each layer. Several surgical stages and microscopic examinations may be required, and you will be asked to wait in the patient reception area between stages. Although there is no way to tell before surgery how many stages will be necessary, most skin cancers are removed on three stages or less.
We would like to make the time you spend with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible. You may bring reading material to occupy your time while waiting for the microscope slides to be processed and examined. You may want to bring a sweater, as the temperature in our office varies. Magazines and beverages (coffee, hot tea) will be available in the reception area. Wireless internet access is also available in the reception area, so please feel free to bring your laptop computer. If your visit extends through the lunch hour, your companion may visit the hospital cafeteria and bring you a snack for lunch, since you are asked not to leave the reception area of our office. Also, a small refrigerator is located in the waiting area for your convenience if you wish to bring a lunch from home.
Since we do not know in advance how much time is necessary to remove the skin cancer and repair the wound, we ask that you plan to be in the office the entire day and that you make no other commitments.
Please bring your list of medications and illnesses. Please also plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
