What is skin cancer surgery?

Skin cancer surgery is a procedure that is designed to remove cancerous growths from the skin. The primary aim of the procedure is to eliminate cancerous growth while preserving healthy tissues. Although the incidence of skin cancer in Singapore is low, it is still one of the top 10 most common types of cancer for both men, and women. The three main sub-types of skin cancer are:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Melanoma skin cancer.

The disease often manifests as abnormal cell growth, commonly in areas exposed to frequent UV rays such as the arms, face and neck. Skin cancer surgery is often necessary to prevent the spread of cancerous cells. It is also performed when the lesion or growths cause discomfort, or distress.

In Singapore, skin cancer is the 6th most common cancer for men, and the 7th most common cancer for women.

How does skin cancer surgery work?

While there is an array of skin cancer surgeries available, the type of skin cancer, size, severity, and location of the lesions play a role in deciding which removal options to opt for. At NC Tan Surgery, we provide the following procedures:

Excision surgery: excision surgery involves excising the entire malignant tumour, along with a margin of the surrounding healthy tissues. This ensures that all the cancer cells are effectively, and thoroughly removed.
Lymph node dissection: if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, our surgeon may opt to remove the affected lymph nodes as well. This involves making an incision near the treatment areas and carefully removing the cancerous lymph nodes to prevent them from spreading further.
Skin grafts and skin flaps: these procedures are reserved for treating large skin cancers. When bigger growths require the removal of a substantial area of skin, skin flap surgery is used to repair the resulting defects by covering the area with healthy tissue from a nearby region.

Benefits of skin cancer surgery

One of the major benefits of skin cancer surgery is that it effectively hinders the disease from progressing further. Here are some of the additional benefits:

Excision surgery	Complete removal of cancerous tissues. Suitable even for larger tumours. Offers higher success rates for advanced skin cancers.
Lymph node surgery	Helps determine how far the cancer has spread. Prevents the cancer from spreading further. Helps to increase the survival rate of patients with advanced skin cancers.
Skin grafts and skin flaps	Restores function at areas where a large amount of skin is removed such as the head and neck . Promotes healing and has cosmetological benefits for the affected area. Helps to increase the survival rate of patients with advanced skin cancers.

When is skin cancer surgery usually recommended in Singapore?

Our specialist often recommends skin cancer surgery due to various medical reasons, including:

If a cancer diagnosis has been confirmed.
If the lesions or growths begin to change in size, depth, shape, and colour.
If the lesions or growths show signs of bleeding or crusting.
If there is a risk of the cancer metastasising to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, glands or organs.
If non-surgical treatments have not yielded positive results in managing the disease.

What can I expect from a skin cancer surgery in Singapore?

During the initial consultation, our specialist will perform a physical examination to assess your lesions, and growths. This may include photographing these lesions, and growths for monitoring purposes. Aside from a physical examination and skin assessment, our specialist will ask about your family and medical history. As such, it is advisable to bring along any prior medical records and prepare a list detailing your family’s medical history as this will ensure a seamless consultation.

Once our specialist has a comprehensive understanding of your background and condition, a personalised treatment plan will be prepared for you. Although the procedures do not require any special preparations, this will depend on the specialist’s discretion and the type of skin cancer surgery you will be undergoing.

Following the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort, blistering, swelling and pain at the treated areas. While these side effects often resolve on their own within a few weeks, it is important to adhere to the following aftercare steps:

Attend every scheduled follow-up appointment to allow our specialist to monitor how the wounds are healing.
Ensure that the treated areas are kept thoroughly clean, and dry and to regularly change the dressing (if any).
Refrain from picking at the scabs, or touching the wound sites unnecessarily.

Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer cells spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body. The cells break away, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and form new tumours in distant organs.

How many skin cancer surgery treatment sessions would I need?

The frequency of your treatment will depend on several factors, such as:

The type of skin cancer.
The size, and location of the lesions, and growths.
The extent, or severity of the disease.

Generally, our specialist will be able to have an idea of the number of surgical procedures needed to effectively treat skin cancer during the initial consultation. Since skin cancer can metastasise to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes, lungs and bone, skin cancer surgery can help minimise the risk of the disease spreading.

We understand how daunting skin cancer management can be, and rest assured that we strive to offer diligent, and personalised pre- and post-operative care. Our specialist at NC Tan Surgery is equipped with the relevant skills, knowledge, and expertise to perform a multitude of skin cancer surgeries to effectively treat skin cancers.

If you are interested in learning more about our skin cancer removal services, then contact us to speak with our specialist today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are skin cancer surgeries painful?

Most skin cancer surgeries are painless. Our specialists may apply local or general anaesthesia to minimise discomfort throughout the procedure.

How long do skin cancer surgeries take?

The duration of the procedures will depend on the size of lesions or growths, as well as the severity of the disease;

Excision surgery: approximately 20 to 30 mins
Lymph node surgery: approximately 30 to 60 mins
Skin grafts and skin flaps: approximately 30 to 60 mins

Are there any risks, and complications associated with the procedures?

Yes, some of the possible risks, and complications that you should know of are:

Bleeding.
Infection.
Pain.
Scarring.
Swelling.

How can I prevent skin cancer from recurring after the procedure?

Aside from scheduling routine check-ups to monitor your skin, it is advisable to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, and refrain from using a tanning bed.

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