Excision

What are the benefits of excision?

When excision is for the treatment of skin cancers, it removes the tumour, so that the skin cancer is not able to spread to adjacent healthy tissues.

The removed skin is then sent to a specialist laboratory for analysis (called histopathology), to check:

• The diagnosis is correct; and
• The cancer has been completely removed.

Who is excision suitable for?

Excision is suitable for:

• Patients who have been diagnosed with skin cancers
• Patients whose moles or growths are causing symptoms such as itching or pain;
• Removal of all but the most minor growths, which may be removed through a shave excision.

Depending on the location of the excision, and/or the patient’s mobility, it might be more difficult to keep a healing wound clean and dry – this may elevate the risk of complications. Your dermatologist can advise if this is likely to be the case with your excision.

Some lifestyle factors, such as smoking, can affect wound healing, and can even cause irregular scarring or more serious complications, so while it is best for your health not to smoke at all, it is essential that you heed the advice of your dermatologist in the weeks prior to, and after excision surgery.

As with all surgery, there is a small risk of complications, such as nerve damage or an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic or sutures. These risks will be explained by the dermatologist, who is the best trained and qualified person to avoid these events.

Following the surgery, it is possible that you may experience complications such as bleeding, infection, swelling, or reopening of the incision.

It is important to contact the clinic if you are experiencing any of these complications or unexpected pain or discomfort, whether they present immediately in the days following the operation, or weeks on from the excision.

In the rare event that you need care urgently and cannot contact the clinic, you should go to the hospital. If necessary, dial 999.