Surgical Removal of Suspected Skin Cancer

Surgical Excision

Surgical removal or excision of the Basal or Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the most common treatment.

Non-melanoma skin cancers are almost always surgically removed under local anaesthetic and this is the safest form of treatment due to the potential of Basal or Squamous Cell Carcinomas to spread.

This approach offers:

• high cure rates
• Is immediate,
• Lesion margins are checked to ensure complete clearance

In more advanced skin cancers, some of the surrounding tissue may also be removed to make sure that all of the cancerous cells are cleared.

Excision Treatment Process

After careful administration of local anaesthetic, the Doctor uses a scalpel to remove the entire growth, along with surrounding apparently normal skin as a safety margin.

The wound around the surgical site is then closed with sutures (stitches).

Excision Treatment Recovery

For a few days post excision there may be minor bruising and swelling. Scarring is usually minimal. Pain or discomfort is minor. Typically, where sutures are used, they are removed soon afterwards.

Surgical Excision Prognosis

Studies indicate the cure rate for primary tumours with this technique is around 92 percent. Clearance rates for recurrent Basal or Squamous Cell Carcinomas are lower around 77 percent.

A repeat excision may be necessary on a subsequent occasion if evidence of skin cancer is found in the specimen.