Skin cancer surgery
Skin cancer
Our experienced surgeons focus on removing skin cancers while achieving the best possible cosmetic result. We see people with all types of skin cancer, including:
- Basal cell cancer – this is the most common type of skin cancer and also the least serious. Prompt removal usually leaves minimal scarring.
- Squamous cell cancers – these are the second most common type of skin cancer and rarely spread when treated early.
- Melanomas – are the most aggressive and dangerous type of skin cancer. Seek medical advice as soon as possible if you have a skin lesion that changes colour, shape or size.
- Moles – while not cancerous themselves, cancer cells can develop within moles. If a mole changes shape, colour, grows, or becomes irregular around the edges, it may be turning into a melanoma.
Skin cancer removal procedures
The most appropriate way to remove a skin cancer will depend on factors such as its size, type, depth and location. Your surgeon might recommend:
- treating a non-invasive cancer with liquid nitrogen (dry ice) spray.
- excising (surgically removing) a small lesion.
- a procedure to ensure 100% of a cancerous tumour is removed. This involves removing enough tissue to get a clear margin of unaffected tissue around the edges of the cancer. If you have a larger lesion, you may need a reconstructive procedure to close the wound and create a less noticeable scar.
