What should you know about skin cancer removal surgery?

The surgeon considers the cancer type, location, size, depth and visible borders. Removal may be performed with a margin of nearby skin, and the specimen is checked to determine whether the edges are clear. Depending on the wound, it may be closed with stitches, left to heal gradually, or repaired with a graft or flap. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma can require different margins, staging or additional treatment. The planned operation may change if the tissue assessment shows that more removal is needed.

Give the team a complete medicine list, including products that affect bleeding, and mention allergies, previous reactions to anaesthetic and other health conditions. Afterward, keep the dressing and wound care routine exactly as instructed. Protect the site from friction and sun, do not pick at crusts, and attend scheduled reviews. Ask when washing, exercise, driving and work are suitable. Scar changes gradually, so follow the team’s advice before using scar products or massage.

Contact the surgical team for persistent bleeding, worsening pain, increasing redness or swelling, cloudy drainage, wound separation or fever. Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe allergic symptoms, faintness, confusion, breathing difficulty or rapidly spreading swelling. A new, changing or non-healing mark near the scar should be assessed during follow-up or sooner if it evolves quickly.

Ask which cancer is being treated, how the edges will be checked, what repair is expected, whether further treatment could be needed, and how the operation may affect appearance or function. Confirm dressing changes, pain relief, activity limits, scar care and the follow-up plan.