Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatments

What if a suspected skin cancer is found?

If any suspected cancers are found, the medical practitioner will discuss the treatment options with you. In many cases, a diagnosis is very clear from visual inspection using a Dermatoscope. In these cases, the cancerous lesion is normally removed surgically and sent away for biopsy for confirmation.

In some other cases, the lesion may exhibit some visual characteristics of a skin cancer, but cannot be definitively diagnosed without a sample being examined in a pathology lab. In these cases, the lesion may be removed surgically, or if the lesion is large, a small sample may be taken and sent away for biopsy.

Skin cancer removal (excision)

If any suspected cancers are found, the medical practitioner will discuss with you about your treatment options. In most cases, Bunbury Skin Cancer Clinic can remove the skin cancer in the clinic, without referral to a specialist surgeon. In this simple medical procedure, the tissue surrounding the lesion is numbed using a local anesthetic. A scalpel is used to remove the lesion, and the wound is closed by two layers of sutures including deep absorbable sutures so as to produce a strong wound with reduced likelihood of rupture or excessive scarring.

Every effort is made to minimise the potential for scarring, particularly on visible areas such as the face. In some cases, the medical practitioner may need to take a skin graft from a less visible area to provide enough skin to cover the removed area.

Large and or poorly defined cancers in difficult areas such as the nose are sometimes best treated by a Mohs micrographic surgeon in Perth or referred for radiotherapy where appropriate.

Skin cancer biopsy

All suspected cancers are sent away to a pathology lab for biopsy. Generally, the results are received within 1-2 days. You will receive a call advising you of the diagnosis and any follow-up actions.

More information

For more information about skin cancer and the role of skin checks, we recommend you review the information at the Cancer Council (Australia), or the information at our own website.

Please contact us if you would like to book your skin check.

Photodynamic Therapy

Bunbury Skin Cancer Clinic offers Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), which is a revolutionary new way to treat many skin conditions, including:

Sun damage
Blemished or aged skin
Rosacea
Large pores
Fine lines
Pigmentation
Skin discolouration

Applications of photodynamic therapy

PDT may be used on all parts of the body. It is particularly effective at treating parts of the body which have previously been difficult to treat, such as the décolletage, arms, hands and legs.

Bunbury Skin Cancer Clinic now uses daylight PDT which allows the patient greater flexibility with not having to be confined to a darkened room for 2 days post treatment. Patients are also reporting great delight in not having to be put under the lights, instead being able to go home for their daylight exposure. We have achieved some great responses since upgrading to daylight PDT treatments.

How does it work

To perform PDT, a Doctor treats the area using medical-grade IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) in combination with a naturally occurring amino acid (5-ALA). The process is fast, non-invasive, relatively painless, affordable, and has minimal side effects and downtime.

Things you should know

Before you undergo PDT make sure you tell your Doctor about any medications you are taking especially Roaccutane or Tetracyclines. If you have a history of cold sores (herpes simplex 1) you may need to take prophylactic treatment prior to your PDT treatment.

For further information about the procedure, download the PDT information leaflet.