Skin cancer surgery

How common is skin cancer?

  • Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. More than 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

  • Early detection and treatment are key to getting the best results. If you have concerns about a spot or lesion on your skin, it’s important to get it checked early.

  • Procedures to manage skin cancer can be done under local anaesthetic but larger and more complex cases may need to be done in hospital, usually as day surgery.

 Common types of skin cancer we treat

  • BCC (Basal Cell Carcinoma)

  • SCC (Squamous Cell Carcinoma)

  • Melanoma

Surgical treatment for skin cancer

Surgery is one of the most common and effective treatments for skin cancer. Briefly, surgery involves:

  • Surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic (by numbing the area) or general anaesthesia. It is usually performed as a day only procedure in hospital.

  • The skin cancer is removed with a margin of normal tissue to ensure the excision is complete.

  • After the cancer is removed:

    • The area may be stitched closed, or

    • Repaired using a skin graft (a piece of skin is taken from another area of your body and sewn into the wound), or

    • A local flap (a few cuts are made in nearby healthy skin to help cover the wound),

Dr Law will explain the best option for you before the procedure. The main goal is to remove all cancer while leaving as little scarring and deformity as possible.

Non-surgical treatments for skin cancer

  • Non-surgical treatments may be suitable for some types of skin cancer, and these include the use of:

    • Creams to treat superficial types of BCC or SCC, which works by triggering the immune system to destroy cancer cells.

    • Radiation therapy.

    • Immunotherapy.

  • These treatments may be used after surgery or, in some cases, before surgery to shrink the cancer and make removal easier.

Risks & complications

  • All surgery carries risks and may include:

    • Drug reactions: Most skin cancer surgeries are performed under local anaesthesia, with or without sedation. Only a small number of patients require a general anaesthetic for skin cancer removal. For patients who are otherwise fit and healthy, the risks of general anaesthesia are generally low. However, these risks can be higher in people with significant medical conditions.

    • Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions to materials such as sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions are possible. We will ask you about any known allergies beforehand to help avoid exposure during surgery.

    • Infection: You will be given antibiotics at the start of your surgery (as you go to sleep), as well as a course of oral antibiotics afterwards, to help minimise this risk. 

    • Bleeding and haematoma (blood clot): A bit of bleeding onto the dressing is common and usually stops on its own. There is a very small risk of blood clots, requiring drainage.

  • Risks specific to skin cancer surgery will be discussed with you during your consultation and will also be provided in your consent paperwork. These include:

    • Incomplete excision: Any skin cancer surgery carries a small risk of incomplete removal of the cancer. Occasionally, re-excision of the skin cancer is required.

    • Poor wound healing: This can be influenced by the location of the surgery, the specific procedure performed, and your overall health.

    • Scars.

Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, Sydney

Contact Dr Law below to request a consultation.