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Parkwood skin clinic

Skin Cancer Surgery Gold Coast

Understanding the Path Forward

Skin Cancer Surgery Done Right

When it comes to skin cancer surgery, experience is crucial. The success of your treatment and recovery largely depends on the experience and skill of your doctor. At Parkwood Skin Clinic, we bring decades of experience in skin cancer surgery, ensuring that you receive the highest level of care. Our team, led by highly skilled professionals, has a deep understanding of skin cancer treatment, from early diagnosis to precise surgical removal. By choosing Parkwood Skin Clinic, you’re entrusting your health to experts who prioritise both effective treatment and your overall well-being, ensuring the surgery is done right with the utmost precision and care.

basal cell carcinoma nose

Your Next Steps After Diagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis of skin cancer and learning that surgery is required can be overwhelming. However, understanding the next steps can provide reassurance and help you feel more in control of your treatment journey. Once a skin cancer diagnosis is confirmed, our doctor will discuss the recommended surgical options tailored to the type, location, and severity of the cancer. They will explain the type of surgery suggested, whether it’s an excision, Mohs surgery, or other approaches. This conversation is an opportunity to ask questions, understand the goals of the surgery, and feel confident in the treatment plan.

Your Surgical Journey Ahead

Skin cancer surgery is a critical procedure aimed at fully removing cancerous cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The process typically begins with a thorough examination and biopsy to confirm the cancer type and assess its depth and spread. Once the type and location of the skin cancer are identified, a detailed surgical plan is created to ensure that all cancerous cells are excised effectively. Various surgical techniques may be used, depending on the cancer type, size, location, and depth.

An essential aspect of skin cancer surgery is the use of surgical margins, which refer to the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor that is removed along with the cancerous tissue. Surgical margins are required to ensure complete removal of all cancer cells, as microscopic cancer cells can extend beyond the visible tumor edges. Depending on the type of skin cancer, specific margin widths are recommended to minimise the risk of cancer recurrence.

Our Three Core Surgical Procedure

Simple excision

Ellipse excision is a common surgical technique used to remove skin cancer lesions. During this procedure, the doctor removes the cancerous tissue along with a margin of healthy skin around it to ensure complete removal of all cancer cells. The excision is made in an elliptical (or football) shape, allowing for easier closure of the wound and minimising tension on the surrounding skin. This technique is particularly effective for areas where direct closure is possible, and it results in a linear scar that heals well and blends with natural skin lines. Ellipse excision is a straightforward, effective approach for treating many types of skin cancers while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Skin Flaps

Skin flap repair is a reconstructive technique used after skin cancer removal to close a wound with nearby healthy skin. After the cancerous tissue is excised, a flap of skin adjacent to the site is carefully lifted and rotated or moved over the wound, maintaining its original blood supply. This approach allows for effective healing and helps achieve a natural appearance, especially in areas where skin tension is high or where simple closure would cause significant scarring or distortion. Skin flap repair is often used on the face and other cosmetically sensitive areas, providing a seamless, aesthetically pleasing result while ensuring the skin heals efficiently after cancer removal.

Skin Grafts

A skin graft is a reconstructive technique used after skin cancer removal, particularly for larger wounds where direct closure or skin flap repair isn’t possible. In this procedure, a thin layer of healthy skin is taken from another part of the body, usually from a less visible area like the thigh or behind the ear, and transplanted to cover the wound. The grafted skin is secured over the excised area and gradually connects to the surrounding tissue, forming new blood vessels and healing over time. Skin grafts are particularly useful for covering extensive areas, ensuring complete wound closure, and helping restore appearance and function in areas affected by skin cancer surgery.

Guiding You Through Your Treatment Process

From Diagnosis to Recovery

Surgical treatment for skin cancer involves meticulous planning, precision, and compassionate care, ensuring thorough removal of the cancer while prioritizing the patient’s well-being and quality of life.

Initially, patients meet with our doctor for a comprehensive assessment to confirm the type, size, and location of the skin cancer. This consultation may include a biopsy, imaging, and discussions around the best surgical approach—whether that’s an elliptical excision, skin flap repair, or skin graft. Our will explain the process, expected outcomes, and any necessary surgical margins to ensure complete removal of cancerous cells. This step is essential for helping the patient understand their condition and feel reassured about the upcoming procedure, fostering a sense of trust and confidence as they prepare for surgery.

Following the procedure, the recovery phase begins, where patients are guided through post-operative care tailored to their specific surgical method. Regular follow-up visits allow the medical team to monitor healing, address any concerns, and adjust care as needed to minimise scarring and support the best aesthetic and functional outcome. This comprehensive approach to treatment and recovery allows patients to focus on healing, knowing they have a dedicated team supporting their journey from start to finish.

Post wound care

After skin cancer surgery, patients can expect some initial redness, swelling, and minor discomfort at the surgical site, which typically improves within days to weeks depending on the procedure. Proper wound care is key to optimal healing, involving gentle cleaning, regular dressing changes, and avoiding strenuous activities to protect the area. The medical team provides specific instructions and may recommend topical treatments to help reduce scarring. Over time, most scars will fade, with surgical techniques designed to ensure a discreet and natural cosmetic outcome. Importantly, routine follow-up skin checks are essential after skin cancer surgery to monitor for any recurrence and to screen for new lesions, as patients who have had skin cancer are at a higher risk for future occurrences.

doctor showing the different layers of the skin
skin surgery

Is Surgery My only Option?

Not all skin cancers require surgical excision; in fact, there are several effective, non-surgical treatment options for certain types of skin cancers that are shallow and confined to the top layers of the skin. Topical treatments using prescription creams or gels with anti-cancer agents can target and eliminate abnormal cells without invasive procedures. Cryosurgery involves freezing cancer cells with liquid nitrogen, causing them to die off, while curettage and diathermy use a scraping instrument followed by heat to destroy remaining cells. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is another innovative method, using light-sensitive medication and specific wavelengths of light to target and destroy cancer cells. Additionally, laser therapy can be employed for superficial skin cancers, using concentrated beams of light to precisely remove or shrink abnormal tissue. These treatments offer effective alternatives for patients who qualify, often with minimal recovery time and excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Advanced Procedures

For certain skin cancers that require more specialised treatment, advanced procedures such as Mohs surgery, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy may be necessary. Mohs surgery is a precise technique ideal for skin cancers in sensitive areas or with a high risk of recurrence, where layers of skin are removed and examined in real-time to ensure complete cancer removal while preserving healthy tissue. Radiotherapy may be recommended for larger or more invasive cancers, using targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells without surgery. Immunotherapy works by stimulating the body’s immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells, often used in cases where the cancer is more advanced or has spread. While these treatments aren’t offered directly at the clinic, patients are promptly referred to highly qualified specialists to ensure they receive the most effective, personalised care for their condition.

laser probe

Add-on therapies

After skin cancer surgery, additional treatments can significantly enhance healing, improve cosmetic outcomes, and prevent further skin damage.

Laser treatment is often used post-surgery to refine the appearance of scars, helping to smooth out the skin’s texture and reduce redness or discolouration. For patients concerned about sun damage, specialiased treatments like chemical peels or targeted light therapies can help restore skin health and minimise signs of past damage, reducing the risk of future cancerous growths.

Scar management is also crucial for optimising recovery and appearance; treatments may include topical scar-reducing gels, silicone sheets, or professional therapies to promote smoother, less visible healing. These post-surgery add-on treatments can play a valuable role in helping patients feel confident and comfortable with their skin as they recover.

Setting Ourselves Apart

At Parkwood Skin Clinic, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional, personalised care for every patient undergoing skin cancer treatment. Our approach goes beyond standard procedures, focusing on comprehensive treatment that includes precise surgical techniques, tailored aftercare, and aesthetic attention to help patients heal confidently. One unique aspect of our care is our commitment to direct, doctor-led support for any post-surgical needs. All emergencies and urgent concerns are managed personally by our lead doctor, ensuring that each patient receives prompt, expert attention. Additionally, we offer a dedicated support line exclusively for post-surgery patients, allowing them to access immediate guidance and peace of mind as they recover. This hands-on, patient-centered approach sets us apart, ensuring that every individual feels fully supported throughout their healing journey.

We Will Help You Every Step Of The Way

over 15 years of medical experience

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