Skin Cancer Surgery

Skin Cancer SurgeryThere are 3 types of skin cancer that are common in the United Kingdom. Basal cell carcinomas (BCC, also known as rodent ulcers), squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and melanoma.

Basal cell carcinomas are the most common form of skin cancer in the UK. They belong to a group of skin cancers called non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).
Fair skin and chronic sun exposure are both important factors in the development of basal cell carcinomas. BCCs typically appear as a small nodule or ulcer.

BCCs very rarely spread to other parts of the body, but can cause damage by growing into nearby tissue, such as the nose, eyelid or ear, if left untreated.

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are the second most common type of skin cancer and together with BCC, are collectively referred to as non-melanoma skin cancer.

Squamous cell carcinomas can occur on any part of the body, but are most common on areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the head and neck (including the lips and ears) and the backs of the hands. They can also appear in old scars, ulcers, burns and skin previously treated with radiotherapy. SCCs typically appear as a nodule, ulcer or scaly patch.

SCCs can be cured if they are detected early and appropriate treatment undertaken.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and has the ability to spread to surrounding skin and other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes, liver and lungs. Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, cells in the skin that produce melanin, a pigment that gives skin its colour.

The majority of melanomas are black or brown. However, some may be skin-coloured, pink or red.

Anyone with a suspicious mole or blemish should seek an opinion of a doctor without delay. Your GP can refer you urgently on the NHS suspected-cancer pathway, or you can see Mr Karri privately.

How skin cancer is treated

Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are treated by cutting them out (excision). The cancer is removed with a margin of normal-looking skin around it. The size of the margin depends on the type of cancer and follows national guidelines. The skin specimen is sent to the pathology laboratory for analysis (histology), which confirms the type of cancer and whether it has been completely removed. The result comes back in a few weeks, and Mr Karri goes through it with you.

If further surgery is needed, this will be charged separately.

Most SCCs are cured by surgery. A small number spread to nearby lymph glands, so higher-risk SCCs are discussed by a specialist skin cancer team.

Reconstruction

Small wounds are closed with stitches in a straight line. Where this would pull on the eyelid, lip or nose, or where the wound is larger, Mr Karri repairs it with a local flap (moving nearby skin into the gap) or a skin graft. On the face, reconstruction is planned so that the scar lies in natural creases and the function of the eyelid, lip, nose or ear is kept. Some reconstructions are done in two stages, a few weeks apart. Examples are shown in the before-and-after cases on this page.

Where and how

Skin cancer surgery is typically done under local anaesthetic as a day case at Kinvara Private Hospital.

Before your operation: do not take aspirin, anti-inflammatory painkillers or vitamin E for 14 days before your operation. If you take a prescribed blood thinner, do not stop it yourself; we will tell you what to do.

Recovery

Dressings stay on for 1 week. You can shower after 72 hours. Non-dissolving stitches are taken out after 1 week on the face and 2 weeks elsewhere. Bruising and swelling are common, especially around the eyes, and the swelling settles over several weeks and is usually gone by 6-12 weeks. Do not exercise for 4 weeks.

Risks of skin cancer surgery

Scarring – all surgery leaves a scar. Scars occasionally become red, raised or stretched.

Bleeding

Infection

Delayed wound healing, or partial loss of a flap or skin graft

Numbness around the scar – usually temporary, but can occasionally be permanent

Nerve injury – on the face, weakness of a nearby muscle, usually temporary

Pulling of nearby features, for example the lower eyelid or lip

Asymmetry – the treated nose, lip, eyelid or ear may not exactly match the other side

Incomplete removal – if the tests show cancer at the edge of the removed skin, further surgery may be needed

Recurrence – a skin cancer can come back at the same place, and people who have had one skin cancer are more likely to develop another

Follow-up

Follow-up depends on the type of cancer and follows national (NICE) guidance. Everyone who has had a skin cancer should protect their skin from the sun and check their skin regularly, and see a doctor about any new or changing mark.

Medically reviewed by

Mr Vasu Karri

BSc(Hons), MBBS, MRCS, MSc, FRCS(Plast)
Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Last updated 30th September 2026