Skin Cancer Surgery in Brisbane
Surgical removal of non-melanoma skin cancers — basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan.
Expert skin cancer surgery in Brisbane
Skin cancer surgery is the surgical removal (excision) of a skin cancer together with a margin of healthy skin, to remove the cancer completely and confirm clear margins. Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, a Brisbane general surgeon, treats the two most common non-melanoma skin cancers — basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — usually as a day procedure under local anaesthetic.
Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world: about two in three Australians are diagnosed with a skin cancer by age 70. The good news is that, caught early, BCC and SCC are highly curable with surgery. For pigmented spots that may be melanoma, see melanoma surgery; if you have a mole or lump that has not yet been diagnosed, start with mole and skin lesion removal.
Types of skin cancer: BCC and SCC
The two non-melanoma skin cancers Dr Goutham treats behave differently, and the difference guides surgery.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
The most common skin cancer. Grows slowly, rarely spreads, but steadily invades local tissue if left. Often a pearly bump, a non-healing sore or a scaly patch — frequently on the face, nose, ears and scalp.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
The second most common. Grows faster than BCC and can spread to lymph nodes if neglected, so it is treated more promptly. Often a firm, scaly or crusted lump that may be tender or bleed.
Both are usually cured by complete surgical excision. The key practical difference is that SCC is treated more urgently and with attention to wider margins, because of its small but real risk of spread. A pigmented lesion that could be a melanoma is managed differently again.
Signs of skin cancer
See your GP, a skin-cancer clinic or Dr Goutham if you notice any spot that does not behave like normal skin. Warning signs of BCC and SCC include:
- A sore or spot that will not heal, or heals and returns.
- A pearly, shiny or waxy bump, sometimes with tiny visible blood vessels (typical of BCC).
- A firm, scaly or crusted lump that may be tender or bleed (typical of SCC).
- A red, scaly patch that persists.
- Any spot that bleeds, itches or changes over weeks to months.
Because skin cancers are so common in Queensland, any new or changing spot in an adult is worth having checked — early lesions are smaller and simpler to remove.
How skin cancer is diagnosed
Skin cancer is diagnosed by examining the lesion and confirming it with pathology. Your GP or skin-cancer doctor may examine the spot with a dermatoscope and take a small biopsy, or refer you to Dr Goutham for an excision that both removes and diagnoses the lesion.
Whatever lesion is removed is sent to a pathology laboratory, which confirms the type of skin cancer and whether it was removed with clear margins. If a biopsy has already shown a BCC or SCC, surgery is planned to remove the cancer completely with an appropriate margin. If the diagnosis is uncertain, an excision of the lesion provides both treatment and a definite answer.
Surgical treatment of skin cancer
The standard treatment for most BCCs and SCCs is surgical excision with a clear margin — removing the cancer plus a rim of normal-looking skin around and beneath it, so that no cancer cells are left behind. This is why the area removed is larger than the visible spot.
Most excisions are performed under local anaesthetic as a day procedure, taking around 30–60 minutes. The wound is usually closed directly with sutures. The removed tissue is sent to pathology to confirm the margins are clear.
- Margins are chosen for the cancer type, size and site — SCC and larger or higher-risk lesions need wider margins than small BCCs.
- High-risk sites such as the nose, ears, lips and eyelids need particular care to remove the cancer fully while protecting function and appearance.
- If pathology shows the margin is not completely clear, a further excision may be recommended to ensure the cancer is fully removed.
For selected complex facial cancers, a technique called Mohs micrographic surgery (offered by specialised Mohs surgeons) may be considered; for the great majority of BCCs and SCCs, standard excision with clear margins is the effective, mainstream Australian treatment.
Skin cancer reconstruction
Most skin cancer wounds are closed with simple direct sutures, leaving a neat line. When a cancer is larger, or on a cosmetically and functionally important area such as the face, the wound may need reconstruction to restore appearance and function.
- Direct closure — the edges are brought together in a fine line (most cases).
- Skin flap — nearby skin is moved to cover the defect, matching colour and texture.
- Skin graft — skin from another area is used to resurface a larger wound.
Dr Goutham plans the removal and closure together, so the cancer is cleared completely while keeping the cosmetic result as good as possible. Complex reconstructions are coordinated with the right specialist where needed.
Recovery and scar care
Recovery from skin cancer surgery is usually quick. Most people go home the same day and return to light activity within a day or two, with the wound mildly tender for several days.
- Keep the wound clean and dry as advised, usually for the first 48 hours.
- Sutures are typically removed at 7–14 days — sooner on the face, later on the back and limbs.
- Avoid heavy lifting and activities that stretch the wound while it heals.
- Protect the scar from the sun and follow our post-operative care guidance to help it settle.
Because a personal history of skin cancer raises the chance of developing another, ongoing skin checks are important after treatment.
Preventing skin cancer
Most skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet (UV) exposure and are largely preventable. In the Queensland sun, the key steps are to slip on protective clothing, slop on SPF 50+ sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.
Just as important is early detection: check your own skin regularly and have a professional skin examination, especially if you are fair-skinned, have had a lot of sun, or have had a skin cancer before. Finding a skin cancer early means smaller surgery and a better result.
Safe excision, considered cosmetic outcomes
- ✓general surgeon. — skin cancers removed by a fully qualified surgeon.
- ✓Clear-margin surgery. — complete removal confirmed by pathology.
- ✓Cosmetic awareness. — incisions and reconstruction planned for the tidiest result.
- ✓Prompt SCC care. — faster-growing cancers treated without delay.
- ✓Day procedure. — most excisions under local anaesthetic, home the same day.
- ✓Brisbane-wide. — consulting and operating across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan.
Skin cancer surgery FAQs
What is the difference between BCC and SCC?+
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer; it grows slowly and rarely spreads, but invades local tissue if untreated. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) grows faster and can spread to lymph nodes if neglected, so it is treated more promptly and with wider margins. Both are usually cured by complete surgical excision.
Does basal cell carcinoma (BCC) spread?+
BCC very rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it does grow into surrounding skin and deeper tissue over time and can cause significant local damage if left untreated. This is why a BCC should still be removed promptly, even though it is the least aggressive skin cancer.
Why is the incision bigger than my spot?+
Skin cancer is removed with a margin of normal-looking skin around and beneath the visible lesion, because cancer cells often extend further than the eye can see. Taking this margin is what allows the cancer to be removed completely and the pathology to confirm clear edges, so the area excised is larger than the spot itself.
Will I need reconstruction after skin cancer surgery?+
Most wounds are closed directly with sutures and need no reconstruction. Larger cancers, or those on the face, nose or ears, may need a skin flap or graft to restore appearance and function. Dr Goutham plans removal and closure together so the cancer is cleared while keeping the cosmetic result as good as possible.
Is skin cancer surgery painful?+
The procedure is not painful because the area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic — you may feel pressure but no sharp pain. Afterwards the wound is mildly sore for a few days, which simple pain relief manages well.
What happens if the margins are not clear?+
If pathology shows cancer cells reaching the edge of what was removed, Dr Goutham may recommend a further excision to remove the remaining cancer and achieve a clear margin. This is a common, planned step and gives the best chance of a complete cure.
Can skin cancer come back after surgery?+
When a BCC or SCC is removed with clear margins, cure rates are very high — over 95% for early BCC. Recurrence at the same site is uncommon after complete excision, but because a history of skin cancer raises the risk of developing new ones, ongoing skin checks are important.
How long does healing take after a skin cancer excision?+
Most people return to light activity within a day or two. Sutures are removed at about 7–14 days depending on the site, and the scar continues to settle over 6–12 months. Sun protection and good wound care help it heal well.
Is Mohs surgery available, and do I need it?+
For the great majority of BCCs and SCCs, standard surgical excision with clear margins is the effective, mainstream treatment in Australia. Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialised technique offered by dedicated Mohs surgeons for selected complex facial cancers; Dr Goutham will advise if your lesion would be better managed that way.
Do I need a referral to see a skin cancer surgeon?+
A GP referral is recommended so you can access Medicare rebates and your GP stays informed. If you or your skin-cancer doctor have found a BCC or SCC, ask for a referral to Dr Goutham, or contact our rooms for guidance on the next step.
Caring for South-East Queensland
Dr Goutham consults and operates across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan — care close to home.
Last medically reviewed by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, specialist surgeon — June 2026.
Treat a skin cancer early
If you have a diagnosed or suspicious BCC or SCC, Dr Goutham can remove it completely with clear margins and a considered cosmetic result. Ask your GP for a referral or contact our rooms.