SKIN CANCER SURGERY

USEFUL INFORMATION

Two out of three Australians will develop a skin cancer at some stage in their life. Fair skinned people who don't tan but sunburn are at greater risk. People with red hair and blue eyes and people who freckle or have many moles are also at increased risk. Certain drugs and ointments may make a person more susceptible to skin damage from ultraviolet radiation.

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Solar keratoses (often called "sunspots") are not skin cancers but over time they may turn into a squamous cell carcinoma.

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA (BCC)

This is the most common, but least dangerous type of skin cancer, accounting for approximately 75% of skin cancers in Australia. BCC grows slowly over months and years and is non-malignant - it rarely spreads to other parts of the body.

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (SCC)

SCC is less common than BCC but grows faster, usually over a period of weeks to months. SCC commonly occur on the head, neck, hands, and forearms. SCC is more serious than BCC as it may spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly. SCC rarely occur before 40 years of age and are almost always a result of years of exposure to the sun.

MELANOMA

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, as it may spread to other parts of the body. If detected early, however, it is curable by surgical excision. There is a 90% chance of survival if a melanoma is detected in its early stages. In Australia, more than 6700 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year and around 900 people die. One in 32 Australians will develop melanoma by the age of 75.

SOLAR KERATOSES

Solar keratoses appear on areas which are frequently exposed to sunlight. These are not skin cancers but can, over time, turn into SCC. They indicate intensely sun-damaged skin and may warn that the skin is prone to cancer.

TREATMENT

In advising the best treatment for you, your Doctor will take into account a number of factors including your age, general health, the type and size of your cancer, where it is on your body and your personal preference. The following treatments may be used:

Surgery

Sometimes to obtain a sample for a biopsy the entire spot is surgically removed in a simple operation. If the cancer is larger or spreading, it may need to be excised via a technique called MOHS Micrographic Surgery or in hospital under a general anaesthetic. Sometimes a skin flap or skin graft will be necessary to close the defect created.

Curettage & Cautery

If you have a small basal cell carcinoma, your Doctor may simply scrape it off under local anaesthetic using a small instrument called a curette. The Doctor may then use cautery to control any bleeding and to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This involves using a needle to pass a very mild electric current into the area. This technique commonly leaves a white scar.

Radiotherapy

This is not used often in the treatment of skin cancers. However it may be useful where surgery might be difficult or disfiguring or if the person is medically unfit for surgery. In radiotherapy, high energy rays are used to destroy the cancer cells. A degree of scarring will be produced by this treatment and you should discuss this with your Doctor.

Chemotherapy

In chemotherapy, drugs are used to destroy cancer cells. A drug in the form of a cream or solution is usually applied directly to the skin cancer. It is used every day, often for several weeks. The skin in the area may become red and inflamed, but this will only be temporary, and there are usually no other side-effects. It is most commonly used for treating solar keratoses.

Interferon injections, over a 3 week period, may be suggested as treatment for certain BCC. Effectiveness and possible side-effects can be discussed with your Doctor.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing can be used in the treatment of keratoses and very superficial skin cancers.

OUTLOOK

More than 99% of people with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are cured. This includes virtually all those cancers that are found and treated early.

It is important than any new skin cancers on other areas of the skin are treated early. If you notice any symptoms it is a good idea to tell your Doctor as soon as possible.

To discuss skin cancer surgery in more detail or to arrange an appointment, please call 3720 8788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Adherence to the information on this site will not ensure successful treatment in every situation and will not ensure specific results in the individual patient. Although complications may be rare, there are certain inherent risks connected with surgical procedures that should be discussed with the surgeon. This Website contains very general information and any procedures mentioned in it should be discussed in detail with your surgeon at the time of consultation.