Skin Cancer Surgery

lip cancer North Coast Maxillofacial Surgery Ballina Dr Scott Armstrong

Skin lesions of the head, neck and face may require removal for a variety of reasons. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer globally, and surgical excision is a mainstay of treatment. Lesions on the face require careful consideration for not only control of cancer and prevention of further spread, but also for the aesthetic aspects of how a cancer or its removal affects facial appearance.

Benign (non-cancerous) lesions such as moles, may also be removed for aesthetic reasons.

Whilst many skin lesions can be managed by a primary practitioner or dermatologist (skin specialist), you may be referred to a specialist surgeon if there are concerns about further spread of the lesion outside of local tissues, if the lesion is particularly large or close to important structures, or if you require management in a hospital setting - although many can be safely treated under local anaesthetic. There are also important considerations with optimising aesthetic outcome.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are experts in not only bony surgery, but also soft tissue surgery of the face, including skin lesions, and some may also have further advanced training in this area.

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FAQs about Skin Lesions Removal

How are skin cancers diagnosed?

Your GP or dermatologist will undertake a careful clinical examination, often with the aid of a dermatoscope (a special magnifying glass for looking at suspicious areas of skin). In many cases, a biopsy (small sample of tissue) will be taken to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, particularly large lesions may require further investigations, which your doctor will discuss with you.

How are skin cancers excised?

The lesion is carefully examined and marked, before local anaesthetic is placed to numb the area. Usually, a small margin of healthy skin is removed along with the lesion, which is then sent to a laboratory to be thoroughly examined under a microscope by a specialist pathologist.

How is the resulting defect reconstructed?

Depending on the size and location, after removing a skin lesion the resulting defect is closed either directly (bringing the wound edges together), with a skin graft (a piece of skin taken from elsewhere), or with a “flap” (skin from the adjacent area which is rotated or moved in). Sutures are placed to hold the deep tissue and skin together through the healing phase, which are then removed 5-10 days after surgery. In many cases, surgical incisions can be made in such a way as to minimise scarring and to camouflage surgery within natural skin creases.

Your surgeon will discuss with you, all of the relevant risks involved in surgery, the options available for treatment in our clinic or in a hospital setting, as well as the post-operative care and follow-up required.