Excision
Skin Excision at BayMed Medical Centre & Skin Cancer Clinic
Skin excision is a common procedure used to remove skin cancers and some precancerous or troublesome lesions. At BayMed Medical Centre & Skin Cancer Clinic in Cheltenham, our doctors perform skin cancer excisions under local anaesthetic, aiming to remove the lesion with an appropriate margin of normal-looking skin and support good healing and long-term skin health.
We perform skin excisions for patients from Cheltenham, Mentone, Highett, Moorabbin, Hampton, Sandringham, Beaumaris and the wider Bayside and south-east Melbourne areas, as well as patients who travel from across Victoria for skin cancer checks and treatment at our Cheltenham clinic.
What Is a Skin Excision?
A skin excision involves surgically removing:
- The visible lesion (for example, a basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma), and
- A margin of surrounding normal-looking skin, to reduce the chance of any cancer cells being left behind.
The wound is then closed, usually with stitches, and the removed tissue is sent to a pathology laboratory. The pathology report confirms the diagnosis and whether the margins are clear.
When Is Excision Recommended?
Your BayMed doctor may recommend excision if:
- A skin cancer has been diagnosed on biopsy and needs complete removal
- A lesion has strong features of skin cancer and excision is likely to be both diagnostic and therapeutic
- A precancerous or benign lesion is causing symptoms, frequently irritated, or has a risk of changing over time
For many skin cancers, particularly basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and early melanomas, excision is the main treatment.
Planning Your Excision
Before booking the procedure, your doctor will:
- Review your medical history, medications (including blood thinners) and allergies
- Examine the lesion and surrounding skin
- Discuss the size and position of the excision and the expected scar direction
- Explain the procedure, alternatives and potential risks in straightforward language
- Let you know if you need to adjust any medicines (only under medical guidance) or arrange time off certain activities while healing
You’ll also be told how long the appointment is likely to take and when to expect follow-up.
What Happens on the Day of Your Excision?
Most excisions at BayMed are done in our clinic treatment room under local anaesthetic.
A typical visit involves:
- Preparation
The skin is cleaned and marked to outline the area to be removed and the planned direction of the scar. Local anaesthetic is injected to numb the area—you may feel a brief sting, then pressure but no sharp pain. - Removing the Lesion
The doctor uses a scalpel to remove the lesion along with a planned margin of surrounding skin. The depth and width of the excision depend on the type and size of the lesion and guideline recommendations. - Shaping and Closing the Wound
The wound is shaped and carefully closed, usually with stitches under the skin and/or on the surface. In some cases, additional techniques such as a small local flap or graft may be used to achieve a better functional and cosmetic result, depending on the site. - Dressing and Instructions
A dressing is applied, and you’ll receive written and verbal aftercare instructions covering wound care, pain relief and activity restrictions.
Most people can go home soon after the procedure and resume light activities the same or next day, depending on the site and size of the excision.
Aftercare, Healing and Scar Management
The excised tissue is sent to a specialist pathologist. Once the report is back, your doctor will:
- Confirm what the lesion was (type of skin cancer or benign lesion)
- Explain whether the margins are clear (no cancer cells at the edge)
- Discuss whether any further treatment is needed—for example, a wider excision for some melanomas or certain high-risk tumours
- Update your follow-up plan, including how often you should have skin checks and whether you should join our High-Risk / Recall Program
This information helps guide both your short-term care and long-term skin cancer surveillance.
Pathology Results and Margins
Even if your next review is not due, please book an earlier skin cancer check at BayMed if you notice:
- A new mole or spot that looks different from your other marks
- A mole that is changing in size, shape, edge or colour
- A lesion that is itchy, bleeding, crusting or not healing
- A new pigmented streak under a nail
If you’re worried about a specific spot, you can request a single lesion / spot check with one of our skin cancer doctors.
Risks and Possible Complications
Skin excision is a common and generally safe procedure, but like any surgery it carries some risks, including:
- Bleeding or haematoma (collection of blood under the skin)
- Infection
- Delayed wound healing or wound breakdown
- Scar thickening, widening or contour irregularity
- Numbness or altered sensation near the scar
- In rare cases, incomplete removal of the lesion if cancer cells extend beyond the planned margins
Your doctor will discuss these possibilities in the context of your specific lesion and location.
Is Excision Always the Only Option?
Not every lesion needs excision. Depending on the diagnosis and location, other approaches may sometimes be considered, such as:
- Cryotherapy for certain superficial or precancerous lesions
- Topical treatments or other specialist therapies in selected cases (via referral)
- Monitoring with digital dermoscopy and photography for lesions assessed as benign or very low risk
Your BayMed doctor will outline the reasonable choices for your situation, including the option of doing nothing, and help you decide which approach makes sense for you.
Book an Excision Consultation in Cheltenham
If you’ve been told you need a skin cancer excision—or you have a lesion that may require surgical removal—you can book a Skin Cancer Clinic appointment at BayMed Medical Centre & Skin Cancer Clinic in Cheltenham.
Bookings can be made online or by calling our reception team. Please mention that you’ve been advised you may need a skin excision, so we can allocate enough time to review the lesion, discuss the procedure and, where appropriate, perform or schedule the surgery.
