There are several types of skin cancer, with the most common being basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. These are often related to sun exposure and commonly occur on sun-exposed areas of the body. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are less likely to spread to other parts of the body, but they can continue to grow and may become locally destructive if left untreated.

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Treatment usually involves surgical excision with an appropriate margin of normal skin. Many skin cancers can be removed with a straightforward excision and direct closure. Larger lesions, or lesions in areas where the skin is tight, may require a local flap or skin graft to allow safe removal and achieve the best possible result. This is often performed under local anaesthetic, with sedation available if required.

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Melanoma is a more serious form of skin cancer. It can occur on sun-exposed skin but may also develop in less obvious areas. The risk of recurrence or spread is related to how deeply the melanoma has grown into the skin, known as the Breslow thickness. Early diagnosis and treatment provide the best chance of cure.

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If melanoma is confirmed, treatment usually involves wide excision with a margin based on the Breslow thickness. For melanomas over a certain depth, sentinel lymph node biopsy may also be discussed. This involves identifying and removing the first lymph node draining the melanoma area to check whether melanoma cells have spread.

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Peter Chin in Tauranga is experienced in skin cancer surgery, melanoma excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy, and will discuss the most appropriate treatment for your individual situation.