Skin cancer surgery is designed to remove types of Basal Cell Carcinomas, Squamous Cell Carcinomas, and Melanomas from the skin. If not treated, skin cancer can be serious, as some types can spread to other areas of the body.
When it comes to the seriousness of skin cancer surgery, all types of surgeries should be taken seriously, as attention to detail and care after your procedure is essential to prevent complications, such as infection or scarring.
In this blog, we’ll go over the most frequently asked questions about skin cancer removal to give you a good idea of what the procedure can involve.
Can skin cancer be treated with surgery?
If the type of skin cancer has remained within its borders and has not spread to other areas of the body, it may be completely removed with surgery.
Ultimately, it depends on each patient’s individual circumstances as to how skin cancer would need to be treated. Sometimes, non-surgical approaches can be sufficient, and other times it may be slightly more complicated to treat.
What are the risks of skin cancer surgery?
Any surgical procedure can carry some risks, but these can be minimised by choosing a qualified plastic surgeon and following recovery instructions. The level of your personal risk can be discussed in person during your consultation.
Risks associated with skin cancer surgery can include infection at the incision site, poor wound healing, scarring, swelling, bruising, pain, and nerve damage or numbness. If they do occur, some of these complications can be addressed with follow-up procedures or treatments.
What is the success rate of skin cancer surgery?
The success rate of most common types of skin cancer extractions is quite high, particularly non melanoma type skin cancers. Surgery can be enough to completely remove common skin cancer types, and the recurrence risk is generally quite low. However, the success rate is not a hundred percent, and there is still some level of risk involved, which you should discuss with your surgeon prior to your procedure.
We will always recommend regularly checking your skin for skin cancer, even after skin cancer surgery, and having any concerning spots checked.
How long is the recovery after skin cancer surgery?
The incision site can take anywhere from one to six weeks to heal, as the rate at which the wound heals can vary from patient to patient. You should always follow your provided recovery instructions, such as maintaining proper wound care to avoid infection.
It is normal to experience some soreness, bruising and other post-surgery side effects after your procedure, but these should subside as your wound heals. Since every procedure is highly personalised, you should discuss how long you can expect your recovery to take and what to expect after your procedure with your surgeon.
Generally, you will need follow-up appointments after your procedure to have your dressings changed or sutures removed. Your surgeon will let you know when you will need to come back into the clinic, and what to do during the time in-between to help your wound heal efficiently.
Skin cancer surgery with Plastic and Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeon Dr Perron, Brisbane
Based in Brisbane, Dr Perron has experience in a variety of surgical procedures, staying up to date with the latest techniques in the field.
Taking a patient-centred approach, he aims to make every patient feel supported, comfortable and listened to, from their first consultation to their recovery. During a consultation, you will be able to have your skin assessed, discuss your concerns and ask any questions you have about skin cancer surgery, as well as receive a personalised treatment plan with tailored recovery instructions.
If you would like to find out more about skin cancer surgery, or if you have skin cancer that needs to be surgically removed, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
