Removal of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by surgical excision.
When Surgery is Recommended
Surgery is usually advised for:
Biopsy-confirmed BCC or SCC
Lesions that are growing, bleeding, ulcerated, or symptomatic
Tumours in high-risk or cosmetically sensitive areas (face, scalp, ears, lips, hands, feet)
How Diagnosis is Made
Clinical assessment by your doctor
Biopsy to confirm type and margin status
What It Is (Surgical Approach)
The lesion is removed with an evidence-based margin of healthy tissue
The wound is closed by direct suturing, local flap, or skin graft depending on size and site
Aim: remove cancer completely while achieving best functional and cosmetic outcome
Closure Options
Direct Closure: Small–moderate lesions; edges stitched together; day procedure; dressings for a few days
Local Flap Reconstruction: Nearby skin rotated or advanced; best for high-tension sites like face, nose, ears; day surgery; minor swelling/bruising
Split-Skin Graft (SSG): Thin graft from donor site; larger or low-tension defects; faster closure, texture/colour may differ
Full-Thickness Skin Graft (FTSG): Full layer of skin from discreet donor site; cosmetic or mobile areas; donor site requires stitches
Recovery (Typical)
Day procedure; dressing for several days
Suture removal or review 5–14 days depending on site
Scar care and sun protection guidance provided
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, skin cancer is completely removed with surgery, especially when clear margins are achieved. Your surgeon will confirm this through pathology results after the procedure.
The scar is usually longer than the lesion, designed to remove the tumour and allow tension-free closure.
Removal of melanoma with a safety margin, sometimes combined with lymph node sampling.
When Surgery is Recommended
Surgery is usually needed for:
Biopsy-proven melanoma of any thickness
Suspicious lesions (pigmented, changing, irregular borders, bleeding, non-healing)
How Diagnosis is Made
Excisional biopsy (gold standard)
Pathology confirms type, depth (Breslow thickness), and stage
What It Is (Surgical Approach)
Melanoma and rim of healthy tissue removed per national guidelines
Closure may be by direct suture, local flap, or skin graft
SLNB recommended for intermediate or thick melanomas: maps first draining lymph node(s) to check for microscopic spread and guide staging/treatment
Closure Options
Direct Closure: Small melanomas with enough skin laxity
Local Flap: Nearby skin rotated/advanced; larger or facial melanomas
Skin Graft (SSG or FTSG): When direct closure or flap not feasible, especially in cosmetically sensitive areas
Recovery (Typical)
Day procedure; dressing for several days
Suture removal or review 5–14 days depending on site
Scar care and sun protection guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Thickness of the melanoma (Breslow depth), ulceration, and other pathology features.
Your care will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team; options may include scans, surveillance, or systemic therapy. For more information about sentinel node biopsy click the link.
Surgery is generally safe, but risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, blood clots, or recurrence of the problem. Specific risks depend on the procedure and will be discussed before surgery.
If you’re considering skin cancer surgery in South West Sydney, arranging a consultation with Dr Ali Rizvi is the next step.
During your appointment, you will:
Discuss your diagnosis, biopsy results, and any concerns in detail
Review pathology reports, imaging (if required), and the size and location of the lesion
Understand whether surgery is necessary and how urgent treatment should be
Learn about the type of skin cancer surgery recommended and why
Receive personalised advice focused on complete cancer removal, cosmetic outcome, and recovery
Your skin cancer treatment journey should feel clear, informed, and tailored to you — with confidence in both your surgeon and your treatment plan.
Visit our Surgery in Sydney page to explore all procedures offered by Dr Ali Rizvi and learn how we can help you with your surgical care.
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