Surgery for the treatment of skin cancer

Our climate in Queensland is one of the best in the world, allowing us to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle all year round.  

Unfortunately, one downside of living in paradise, is that we have the highest skin cancer rate in the world. Basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas are an all too common problem in our state.

If you have seen your GP or skin specialist and they have identified a lesion of concern that needs removing, we can assist with that process.

We perform most of our skin excisions under local anaesthetic, however if the lesion is large or more complicated we are able to provide skin excision using twilight or general anaesthetic.

We always send the tissue to the pathologist for testing. Pathology results are usually available after 48hours.

Depending on the size and location of the lesion, it may be advisable to have someone drive you home after surgery.

We recommend use of ice packs for 20 minutes of each hour for the first 36 hours post-operatively, to reduce pain, swelling, bruising and bleeding.

If the surgery site is on the face, we recommend sleeping on an extra pillow for the first 2 nights.

If you require a skin graft on a lower leg lesion, we require you to remain immobile for 7 days except for trips to the toilet.

We usually require you back to our rooms in 7-10 days for suture removal.

We will provide you with a post operative information pamphlet with answers to common questions, dressing advice and the time of your post operative appointment for suture removal with our nurse Leanne.

Surgery Risks

All surgery is associated with risks and complications. Many of these are well known, including infection, bleeding, scarring, pain, and bruising. Less common issues can include asymmetry, ongoing pain from nerve irritation, loss of sensation, loss of movement because of nerve injury, and the possibility that revision surgery may be required. What can be an acceptable result to one patient can be a disappointment to another. All surgery requires a period of rest for safe recovery, however immobility can predispose to clots in the limbs and lungs.

Skin Cancer Surgery Risks

The most crucial issue in skin cancer surgery is cure of the primary lesion. In avoiding an excessively large loss of tissue, the margins taken around a skin cancer may be inadequate for cure, and a re-excision may be required after histological analysis. Repair of defects may be influenced by whether the lesion is more likely to need additional margin.

Wounds are closed under tension and so can stretch or split, and leave poor scars. Techniques are used to minimise these complications, however revision surgery may still be indicated.

Bleeding is common after skin cancer surgery, especially when the face, scalp or leg is involved. Elevation of the wound and judicious use of cool packs and pressure is helpful.

Infection needs to be managed early to avoid long term damage. An infection may be present if the area is throbbing, high temperature or fever, cellulitis, or fluid discharge.

Skin cancer surgery may be done under local anaesthesia, or with an anaesthetist present for general anaesthetic or sedation, depending on the size of the lesion. There are risks associated with all types of anaesthesia.

Ongoing skin surveillance with your primary care doctor or dermatologist is critical for early detection of other skin lesions and recurrence.