Skin Cancer Surgery

If you notice a spot, a sore area, an unusual lump or ulcer that itches, hurts, bleeds or spreads for more than four weeks then it is time to visit your doctor and get it checked out in case it is skin cancer. If the doctor thinks that there is a risk of it being skin cancer, he will arrange for you to go for a biopsy to have it tested under laboratory conditions.

Skin Cancer Surgery -Types of Non Melanoma Skin Cancer

1. Basal cell

This type of skin cancer is small and slow growing. It appears in the form of shiny pink lumps which can start bleeding and turn into ulcers. The lumps may appear on the face, neck, shoulders, hands and back.

2. Squamous cell

These are small, slow growing pink lumps. They bleed easily and can turn into ulcers. They usually form on the face, ears, lips, neck, hands, shoulders, arms and legs.

3. Bowen’s disease

This is an early form of cancer that looks like red patches. They can be itchy and can appear anywhere.

Types of Skin Cancer Surgery

1. Curettage and electrocute devices

This is suitable only for small skin cancers. It is done under local anaesthetic and a spoon shaped electric tool is used to scrape away the cancerous tissue and the area around it. The tool helps control the bleeding and it can be repeated two or three times until all cancerous tissue is gone.

2. Cryosurgery

This is when extreme cold is used to remove the cancer cells. It is done under local anaesthetic and is mainly intended for small skin ulcers that haven’t grown too far inwards. The area is sprayed and a scab forms that will eventually fall off taking the cancerous cells with it.

3. Mons Micrographic Surgery (MMB)

This procedure is named after the doctor who developed it, Dr. Frederick Mons. This is a specialist technique which is performed only in some hospitals. It is used on basal skin cancers, large skin cancers, cancers that are close to the eyes and rare skin cancers.

4. Wide local excision

Occasionally a biopsy will illustrate that insufficient surrounding tissue has been taken and you will be recalled for this operation. It is done under general anaesthetic. The amount of tissue that is taken depends on the size of the cancer. This type of surgery can need stitches. Afterwards it is likely you will feel some initial tightness but this should soon fade. If very large areas are affected it might be necessary to do a skin graft.

Skin Cancer Surgery -Skin Grafts and Skin Flaps

When a skin graft is required a piece of skin is removed from another part of the body whilst the skin cancer operation is being carried out under general anaesthetic. The skin is removed by a plastic surgeon and it is used to cover the site of the operation. This site needs careful watching by nursing staff but the area where the skin was taken from will appear like a large graze and should heal well.

A skin flap is a portion of skin taken from an area close to the wound and it is cut deeper than a skin graft. The area will require stitches but the skin flap has its own blood supply and should heal well. This operation is only carried out by a specialist surgeon as it is more complicated than a skin graft.

Skin Cancer Surgery -Lymph Node Removal

This requires an operation which is performed under general anaesthetic by a plastic surgeon. Healing can be prolonged and pain can be long lasting. When the lymph nodes are removed from under the area, stiffness can occur in the shoulder and arm. When they are removed from the groin, swelling of the leg (lymphoedema) can occur. This requires exercise, massage and it may be necessary to wear an elastic stocking.

Skin Cancer Surgery- Adjutant Treatment

This is a form of treatment that is necessary after surgery to slow down the risk of the cancer returning. Any remaining cells may need radiotherapy.