Basal cell carcinoma surgery in Melbourne

Assessing a basal cell carcinoma

A biopsy helps establish the diagnosis and subtype. I review the lesion, biopsy result, previous treatment and nearby structures before discussing removal. The visible patch may not show the full extent of the cancer beneath the skin.

Removing the cancer and planning the repair

My first priority is appropriate cancer clearance. I also consider how the resulting wound can be repaired while preserving movement, contour and the position of nearby features. Excision leaves a scar longer or larger than the original lesion, and sometimes a skin graft or flap is needed.

The tissue is sent for pathology. If the cancer reaches the edge of the specimen, further treatment may be required. For selected lesions, another treatment or referral for Mohs surgery may be appropriate. Some repairs are best delayed until margin information is available. We discuss the reason for that choice before proceeding.

Recovery and follow-up

Recovery depends on the site and reconstruction. Risks include bleeding, infection, wound-healing problems, altered sensation, scarring, distortion of nearby structures and incomplete removal or recurrence. A graft or flap has additional healing risks. I explain the proposed reconstruction , dressing plan and activity restrictions.

Bring any biopsy report and details of previous treatment to your consultation. Following treatment, ongoing skin surveillance and sun protection remain important because another skin cancer can develop elsewhere.

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