Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment & Surgery
Diagnosing Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
This type of skin cancer is the most common and is found on skin surfaces that are exposed to the sun. A BCC remains localised and very rarely spreads to other areas of the body. Sometimes, BCCs can ulcerate and scab, so it is important not to mistake them for a sore, in fact they are also known as rodent ulcers.
Basal Cell Carcinomas appear usually as small, pearly red lumps that don’t heal and sometimes bleed. They can increase in size over time. However, some are superficial and can be treated topically with creams or cryotherapy.
Treatment Options for Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Often, a BCC can be diagnosed just by its appearance, both clinically and dermoscopically. In other cases, it will be removed totally and sent for pathological examination and diagnosis, or a biopsy may be taken and just a sample sent for diagnosis.
Removal of a BCC will require an appointment with a surgeon. It will be termed minor surgery and will require a local anaesthetic (numbing of the area) and some stitches. Some complex or large BCCs will require a general anaesthetic (you will sleep through the operation) for removal or reconstruction. A new treatment called Imiquimod is now available for topical treatment of superficial BCCs. Please make an appointment to discuss this.
Pre-op
Post-op
Weeks Later
Other Diagnosis, Treatment & Surgeries
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
A proactive approach is recommended towards squamous cell carcinomas as they can metastasise to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes.
Melanoma
Melanoma checks are essential for early detection. Often starting as a pigmented lesion on normal skin or a changing mole, this is a potentially serious skin cancer.
Mr Richard Martin
Associate Professor (Hon.) Richard manages over 1000 melanoma and skin cancer cases each year, chairs Auckland Regional Melanoma Multidisciplinary meeting and sits on the executive committees of MELNET, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Group (MASC) and Melanoma New Zealand charity.
He is New Zealand’s leading Melanoma Surgical Oncologist, treating all forms of melanoma and performs head/neck/thyroid/parathyroid surgery for patients across New Zealand and internationally.
Book an appointment for an expert approach to basal cell carcinoma treatment and basal cell carcinoma surgery.
Make an Enquiry
Please contact my rooms for an appointment to access my extensive experience.
Locations
THE SPECIALISTS TAKAPUNA
SKINSAFE SKIN CANCER CLINIC
WARKWORTH MEDICAL CENTRE
PENINSULA MEDICAL CENTRE
SOUTHERN CROSS NORTH HARBOUR HOSPITAL
RODNEY SURGICAL CENTRE
NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL
WAITAKERE HOSPITAL
Memberships and Associations
