How long does tumour removal surgery take to work for squamous cell skin cancer?

The surgeon removes the lesion with a planned margin of surrounding tissue. The tissue is examined to check the diagnosis and whether cancer cells reach the edges, often called the margins. If the margins are not clear or the tumour has higher-risk features, the team may discuss further surgery or another treatment.

The wound may be closed with stitches, left to heal with dressings, or repaired with a graft or flap, depending on its size and location. Redness, tenderness, swelling, and altered sensation can occur during healing. The final appearance and scar can continue changing after the skin has closed.

Keep the dressing and wound clean and dry as instructed, take prescribed pain relief correctly, and avoid stretching or knocking the area until the team says normal activity is suitable. Attend the appointment that reviews the pathology result and wound.

Protect healed skin from strong sun exposure and check the treated area and nearby skin as advised. Report a sore that does not heal, bleeding, a growing lump, or a changing patch so it can be examined rather than assumed to be part of healing.

Contact the surgical team promptly for bleeding that does not settle with firm pressure, spreading redness, increasing warmth, pus, fever, worsening pain, or wound separation. Seek emergency help for heavy bleeding, fainting, or breathing difficulty.

Ask when the pathology result will be available, whether the margins are clear, how to care for the closure, when stitches should be removed, and how often the skin should be checked.