Skin Cancer Removal Surgery

Wound closure

This procedure may be carried out under a local or a general anaesthetic.  Your surgeon will have discussed which option is better for you.  If the procedure was carried out under a local anaesthetic, this involves an injection to numb the area, the lesion is then excised, together with an area of surrounding skin.  The wound may be closed in one of several ways:

• Primarily – meaning that the edges of the wound are simply closed together.
• Local flap – Skin may be moved from the surrounding area.
• Skin graft – The skin for this is usually taken from behind the ear, shoulder, abdomen or leg.

You must expect:

• Bruising.
• Swelling.
• Discomfort.

To relieve pain, you will usually be prescribed:

• Antibiotics.
• Pain killing tablets.

However, if this is not the case then advice will be given on how best to control any symptoms.

• Apply any prescribed ointment strictly as directed.
• Your wound must be kept dry unless you have been advised otherwise.
• If your skin become irritable (itchy) during the healing period, try not to scratch the area.
• Your lesion may have been sent to a Pathologist for testing. The results should be available to you at your next consultation.
• Observe your wound for signs of inflammation, i.e. increased pain, redness, swelling or discharge.  If any of these symptoms are notes, or if you have any other worries, please contact the number below.
• Return to work when you feel fit enough to do so.

If you have any problems or concerns, please telephone: 01202 422171.

More details about the three common skin cancer types:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
  BCC’s tend to grow slowly and can cause local damage, but rarely spread to other parts of the body. They are the most common and least dangerous type of skin cancer, typically appearing as a lump or scaling areas which are red, pale or pearly coloured.  Appearing on the head, neck and upper torso, they are not necessarily in areas exposed to the sun.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
  SCC’s, are more likely to spread, depending upon the site the histological aggressiveness. Appearing over some months, they can grow rapidly and generally appear on a site that is most often exposed to the sun (face, scalp, neck, hands or forearms).  SCC are thickened red scaly spots that may bleed easily or ulcerate.
• Melanoma
  This is the most aggressive type skin cancer. Highly malignant it appears as a new freckle, spot or mole that changes colour, shape and size.  They may appear with an irregular or smudgy outline, and can be more than one colour. If detected and treated early, there is an excellent chance of cure.

• How is skin cancer diagnosed?
  Check your skin regularly. If you identify a suspicious skin lesion or nodule, seek medical advice immediately.  Skin cancer is diagnosed clinically and confirmed by a biopsy where tissue is taken and tested by a Pathologist.
• What is the treatment?
  If found in the early stages then skin cancer removal surgery can be performed to successfully remove the cancerous growth.
• How long is the procedure?
  Time will vary depending on the size of the area involved but typically it may take between 20 and 30 minutes.

• Prevention of skin
  With care we can save our skin by following just a few simple guidelines:
  • Reduce exposure to the sun;
  • Always wear sun screen, and reapply throughout the day;
  • Avoid sun tanning beds;
  • Wear sun glasses when outside;
  • Wear a sun hat when outside.