Skin Cancer Surgery & Surgical Excision
When a skin check reveals a suspicious spot, a pre cancerous lesion, or a confirmed skin cancer, surgical intervention is often the most definitive and effective treatment. At Western Skin Institute, we provide expert skin cancer surgery, offering precise removals designed to completely clear the cancer while prioritising your cosmetic and functional recovery.
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Our highly skilled skin doctors perform complex surgical excisions, advanced flap repairs, and skin grafts under local anaesthesia at both our St Albans and North Melbourne medical clinics. You do not need a specialist referral to access our surgical skin cancer services.
Skin Cancer Surgical Procedures We Perform
Standard Surgical Excision
A standard surgical excision involves carefully removing the skin cancer along with a safe, calculated margin of healthy surrounding tissue. This safety margin ensures that no microscopic cancer cells are left behind. Once removed, the specimen is sent to an accredited Australian pathology laboratory for definitive testing to confirm clear margins.
Advanced Flap Repairs and Skin Grafts
When a skin cancer is located on a cosmetically or structurally sensitive area, such as the nose, ears, eyelids, or lower legs, simple closure of the wound might not be ideal or possible.
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Our doctors specialise in advanced reconstructive techniques:
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Skin Flaps: Shifting a nearby section of healthy, loose skin to cover the wound, maintaining an excellent colour and texture match.
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Skin Grafts: Taking a small piece of healthy skin from a hidden donor site (like behind the ear or near the collarbone) to securely close the surgical site.
What to Expect During Your Surgery Appointment
We understand that undergoing any minor surgery can cause anxiety. Our clinical teams in North Melbourne and St Albans work hard to ensure a seamless, comfortable, and pain free experience.
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Local Anaesthesia: The entire procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. The target area is completely numbed, meaning you will remain awake and alert but will feel zero pain during the removal.
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The Excision: The doctor precisely removes the lesion and the necessary safety margin.
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Wound Closure: Using fine, high quality sutures (stitches), the doctor meticulously closes the skin to optimise healing and minimise visible scarring.
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Dressing & Aftercare: A specialised surgical dressing is applied, and our nursing team provides you with clear, comprehensive instructions on how to care for your wound at home.