SKIN CANCER AND UNWANTED SKIN SPOTS

a. Skin cancer

Australia has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer in the world. The early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer improves survival and decreases your chance of having to undergo disfiguring surgery. There are three main types of skin cancer:

BCC (basal cell carcinoma): This is by far the most common skin cancer. It often presents itself as new lump or a sore that fails to heal on the skin. Often they bleed. These tumours rarely spread to distant sites but can erode into nearby structures. Surgical treatment involves removal of the tumour with clear margins. Depending on the site and size of the resulting defect the wound can be closed directly with sutures or reconstructed with a flap or graft of skin. This is done so as to optimise the cosmetic result.

SCC (squamous cell carcinoma): This is less common than the BCCs. Once again, they present as new growths on the skin. They can spread to distant sites if not treated early. Surgery similarly involves complete removal and reconstruction.

Melanoma: This is the least common but the most serious of the three. Late diagnosis and delay in treatment can lead to a worse prognosis. Melanoma readily spreads to several distant sites. Surgery for melanoma is more aggressive and often leads to larger defects. Sometimes, surgery to the nearby lymph glands is necessary.

Simple removal of skin cancers can often be carried out at the Burgundy Hill Plastic Surgery Centre under local anaesthetic.

For your comfort and safety, more complicated procedures are done in hospital, often as a day case.  If your procedure requires reconstructive surgery to the lower leg, you may need to stay in hospital for a number of days, and then ongoing dressing changes can be arranged for you in the home if necessary. 

Once diagnosed with a skin cancer, your chance developing another are greatly increased. Regular skin checks will lead to early diagnosis and treatment.

To find out more about the diagnosis, treatment and surveillance of skin cancer contact the Burgundy Hill Plastic Surgery Centre.

 b. Removal of unwanted skin lesions (macular brown patches, senile warts, moles, sebaceous cysts and lipoma)

As we grow older, our skin forms spots and lumps that are unsightly and a cause of embarrassment. For some people, these blemishes have been present from birth. The removal of these growths is often a simple procedure and a small scar replaces the original spot. Although not cancerous, these spots or lumps slowly increase in size. Frequently the surgery can be done on site at the Centre with minimal inconvenience to yourself.

In some situations pigmented areas or burst blood vessels can be treated nonsurgically with topical creams.

To find out more about how we can treat non cancerous skin blemishes contact the Burgundy Hill Plastic Surgery Centre.