Skin Cancer Surgery
As with any cancer, skin cancer may require surgery to remove the cancerous growth. We can diagnose or further manage the different types of skin cancers: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Mr Kalu is also highly-skilled in reconstruction of wounds after skin cancer.
He is part of the skin specialist multi-disciplinary team in Oxford where problematic cases are discussed in this specialist forum of specialists including dermatologists and oncologists.
For more information about these different types of skin cancer, and reconstruction of wounds, see the FAQs section below.
What to expect
Duration
Skin cancer surgery can be either a local or general anaesthetic procedure depending on the size of the tumour and the nature of the proposed surgery. The surgery to remove the cancer can take up to two hours depending on its size. This could be longer if it is a general anaesthetic procedure.
Recovery
You will be able to go home after the procedure. Before you leave, you will be given a date to return to see the nursing team who will check your wound and/or your dressings.
It is advisable to avoid any strenuous or sporting activities for four to six weeks following surgery. For minor procedures, you may need one to two days off work. This may be longer for more serious cases.
Follow-up
Mr Kalu will see you in his clinic six to eight weeks following surgery.
FAQs
A Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It is mostly curable and when caught and treated early it causes minimal damage.
A Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer and is mostly curable when caught early.
A melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. The main cause of melanoma is ultraviolet light from sun and sunbed exposure.
An excision of a melanoma is normally done under general anaesthetic. You should also expect to have a sentinel lymph node biopsy at the same time. This involves a sample of tissue being taken to see whether there is cancer in your lymph nodes so we can see if it has spread to other parts of your body.
1. Some wounds are cared for with dressings until they heal.
2. Some wounds are closed directly with stitches.
If closure with stitches is not possible, there are two ways in which Mr Kalu may reconstruct your wound after an excision. He will either:
• Carry out a skin graft – where healthy skin from an area of the body is used to repair the site of your skin cancer removal.
• Create a local flap – where adjacent skin is moved to cover the wound.
As with all surgical procedures it is usually safe and effective, but complications can occur. Mr Kalu will discuss the complications of the surgery with you at your consultation so you can make an informed decision about the procedure and allow you to detect and treat problems early.
The cosmetic outcome of the procedure is difficult to predict. Scars will initially be red before settling completely over several months.
What is the cost of skin cancer removal?
The exact surgery cost will be provided after the consultation as Mr Kalu will need to meet you first to assess your own individual needs.
A breakdown of the costs (hospital, surgical and anaesthetic fees) will be included in your clinic letter. The cost of the procedure also includes your dressings appointment post surgery and your follow up appointment with Mr Kalu six to eight weeks later.
You may return to driving the day after the procedure, but the legal test that you would need to satisfy is that you are able to be in control of the vehicle and perform an emergency stop. Further advice should be sought from your insurer as to when they are happy for you to begin driving.
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