Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Over two-thirds of Australians will develop skin cancer during their lifetime and around 1200 Australians die from skin cancer every year.
Early detection is essential in managing skin cancers.
Q Skin Clinic’s commitment to using the latest medically proven technology, and providing outstanding clinical consultations, treatments, and ongoing maintenance programs for our clients ensures the highest standards in clinical care.
Common types of skin cancers:
- Solar Keratoses
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
- Melanoma
Elliptical Excision
The most common type of excision is an elliptical excision. The ellipse is often designed so that the resulting scar runs parallel with existing skin creases. This usually provides a wound under less tension and orientates the scar in a direction that is less noticeable to the eye.
Skin Grafts and Skin Flaps
If the skin cancer is large or a simple elliptical excision will cause unacceptable distortion or undesirable cosmetic outcome, you may need to have a skin graft or a skin flap.
A skin graft is when a layer of skin is taken from a different part of the body (donor site) to cover the area where the cancer was removed.
A skin flap is a thicker layer of skin taken from an area close to where the skin cancer was removed. The skin is cut away but left partly connected so it has a blood supply. The skin is moved to cover the wound and stitched in place.
If you need a skin graft or skin flap, your doctor will explain the operation to you.
Curettage and Cautery
Curettage and cautery are used to treat some BCCs and squamous cell carcinoma in situ. You will be given a local anesthetic and the doctor will scoop out cancer using a small, sharp, spoon-shaped instrument called a curette. They will then apply low-level heat (cautery) to stop the bleeding and destroy any remaining cancer, and cover the wound with a dressing. The wound usually heals within a few weeks, leaving a small, flat, round, white mark.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a freezing technique used to remove sunspots. The doctor sprays liquid nitrogen onto the sunspot or skin cancer and a small area of skin around it. This causes a burning or stinging sensation, which lasts a few minutes. The liquid nitrogen freezes and kills the abnormal skin cells and creates a wound, which will be sore and red for a few days and may weep or blister. The area may also swell for a few days. In some cases, the procedure may need to be repeated.
A crust will form on the wound and the dead tissue will fall off after 1–4 weeks, depending on the area treated. Healing can take a few weeks, and the healed skin will probably look paler and whiter than the surrounding skin.
Topical treatments
Some skin spots and cancers can be treated using creams or gels prescribed by a doctor that you apply directly on the skin. These are called topical treatments. They may contain immunotherapy or chemotherapy drugs as their active ingredient.
Cosmetic Moles, Unsightly Skin Tags & Age Warts Removal
Moles, skin tags, and age warts come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Some of these unsightly skin growths can be removed resulting in smoother and more attractive skin!
Small wounds can be sealed after the tissues are removed, therefore minimizing bleeding, and leaving a smooth surface that forms a superficial scab. Provided this is left to heal naturally, there is minimal scarring, and best of all no stitches are required. Most areas of the body can be treated, and a local anesthetic injection is usually required. Generally, one treatment is sufficient to remove each lesion.