Skin Cancer Program

Skin cancers are very common in Australia, largely as a result of our climate and our love of the sun, together with the fact that many of us have fair skin.

Melanoma now represents one of the major cancer groups in both males and females.

 

What should you expect from treatment?

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for melanoma: the main area will be removed and, sometimes, adjacent lymph nodes will also be treated. Radiation may be given following the surgery to keep cancer under control in the immediate area.

The other skin cancers consist mainly of groups called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). These tend to be less aggressive than melanoma but can still present potential problems. SCC can spread to the lymphatic system and other areas, however, spread of BCC is most unusual.

Radiation therapy is often used after the skin cancer has been cut out and biopsied (in which some of the tissue is removed and studied to see if it is cancerous) and it has an extremely high cure rate.

Radiation may be used alone in some sites where it may be disfiguring to attempt a surgical removal – such as around the nose, eye, ear and mouth.

One advantage of radiation, apart from the extremely high chance of cure, is its ability to maintain the body’s normal look, structure and function, avoiding major surgery and potential skin grafts.

Treatment for skin cancers is typically takes place over a 3-5 week period. This depends on the site involved, whether or not surgery you have had surgery to remove the skin cancer, and the type of cancer.

 

How to make a referral?
 

A referral can be made to one of the Skin tumour program members directly or via phone/ email through our Contact Us page.

For  more information on Skin cancer and community services available to patients click on the links below: