Skin Cancer Treatment/Lesions Gold Coast & Brisbane

Skin Cancer – Treatment of Skin Lesions – Gold Coast Queensland

Since January 2021, Dr Doyle has decided to focus purely on cosmetic surgery – he no longer offers skin cancer surgery at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.

Dr Doyle recommends Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Isolde Hertess at Advanced Skin Cancer Practice located next door at John Flynn Private Hospital. They can be contacted on 07 5601 0495 or enquiry@skincancerpractice.com.au between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays.

Dr Hertess accepts referrals via Medical Objects – Provider Number: 5700822T

About Skin Lesions

The sunshine in Australia is beautiful but unfortunately, it has some side effects. Every year, people are affected by sunspots and skin cancer in varying degrees. Up to 80% of all new cancer cases in Australia are skin cancer. In fact, Queensland remains the skin cancer capital of the world.

Removing skin lesions on the Gold Coast

Dr Doyle is experienced in detecting and removing these potentially life-threatening lesions. The excision of lesions is carried out in the rooms at our private practice or John Flynn Private Hospital. Whether this procedure is performed under a local or general anaesthetic is dependant on several factors, which will be discussed during your consultation.

There are three types of skin cancer that can be removed. Basal cell cancer has the least amount of margin removed because it’s not as aggressive as other types of skin cancer. Squamous cell required a wider margin because it’s more aggressive. Melanoma is the most harmful form of skin cancer. If your doctor believes that one of your skin growths appears harmful, it will be removed and sent off for testing.

Most skin lesion removals are straight forward, and patients are free to return to work. However, any activities that could damage the treated area should be avoided until it is healed. Every step will be taken to keep scarring to a minimum. If a more advanced extraction is required, recovery will be minimal, and patients will only need to be at home for a day or two.

In the event that a biopsied lesion is found to be cancerous, your doctor can recommend a specialist who can take you through your cancer treatment options.

Is it possible for skin cancer to return after removal?

It’s difficult not to be worried about skin cancer returning when you’ve gone through the process of having it removed. Patients who remove basal or squamous cell skin cancers can usually expect permanent results. However, the reality is that there is always a small risk that skin cancer can return in the form of a new lesion, especially if you’ve had cancer before. Your doctor will help you develop a treatment plan that will include regular skin checks. This alone will help decrease your risk of any lesions becoming harmful in the future. Your medical history and the current condition of your skin will help determine how often you should undergo skin examinations.

If you know that you’re at risk of developing new lesions, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun and to keep an eye on any skin changes.

How should I prepare for a skin lesion excision?

There isn’t too much that needs to be done prior to your procedure. Patients are encouraged to stop smoking the week before to assist with healing. There are also certain medications and supplements that may need to be avoided if they are known to thin your blood. Your doctor will discuss all these requirements with you during your consultation. If a general anaesthetic is required, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after your procedure.