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Skin Cancer FAQs – Everything You Need to Know About Skin Cancer

What are the different types of skin cancer? 

The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

  1. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer; it is usually slow-growing and rarely spreads into the body but can cause significant harm on the face.
  2. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer, and it can be more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma and it can spread into the body.
  3. Melanoma is the third most common type and causes the most deaths. It can spread quickly to other parts of the body which is why early diagnosis and melanoma treatment is important.

There are also rare types of skin cancers including Merkel cell carcinoma, angiosarcoma, atypical fibroxanthoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma, sebaceous carcinoma, microcystic adnexal carcinoma, eccrine carcinoma, extramammary Paget disease, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. 

What is the most appropriate skin cancer treatment? 

The most appropriate skin cancer treatment depends on the type of skin cancer, how big it is, and where it is on the body.

The most common treatment is skin cancer excision, where the cancer is cut out with a margin and checked by pathology for good clearance. Skin cancer excisions are performed by general practitioners, dermatologists and surgeons.

Some small, thin types of skin cancer may be treated with cryotherapy (freezing), prescription creams, LED photodynamic therapy, and curettage and cautery (scraping and burning).

Some larger skin cancers, especially facial skin cancer, are well suited for Moh’s surgery for skin cancer removal to ensure adequate clearance on the day of excision, but this surgery is only offered by some dermatologists in metropolitan areas.

Radiation can be used as a non-surgical skin cancer treatment for certain skin cancers. However, radiation has side effects and requires a referral to a radiation oncologist and multiple visits to a radiation facility. 

What happens if my skin doctor finds a skin cancer? 

Your skin doctor will discuss their concerns with you and determine whether to biopsy it or go straight to a complete skin cancer excision. Biopsies can usually be done on the day but excisions may require you to return at another time. 

What is a skin biopsy? 

A biopsy refers to taking a sample of skin to determine if a spot is cancerous. Shave and punch biopsies are commonly used. If your biopsy indicates a skin cancer, you will need a complete excision with a margin of normal skin to cure the cancer. 

What happens if I need a skin cancer excision? 

An excision refers to cutting out and stitching. You will be booked a time and day for this at our Sunshine Coast skin cancer centre in Buderim. Please do not stop taking any blood thinning medications. Our excisions are done with local anaesthetic only so there is no need to fast.

Most people are fine to drive themselves home afterwards, unless they are feeling woozy or their vision is obscured by dressings on the face from a facial skin cancer excision.

Your skin doctor will typically ask you to keep your dressing completely dry for 2 days. You will need to return to have external stitches removed anywhere from 5 to 21 days after. Our Sunshine Coast skin cancer centre team will advise you of your pathology results at this time.

What are solar keratoses? 

Solar keratoses are also known as actinic keratoses and sunspots. They are pre-cancerous, and a small portion will become squamous cell carcinomas.

They usually present as scaly, irritated spots on the most sun exposed areas of the body, usually the face, ears, neck, back of hands and forearms, and sometimes the lower legs and the shoulders. They are treated with cryotherapy, prescription creams, and photodynamic therapy. Regular, daily use of sunscreen is recommended long term to help reduce more solar keratoses. 

Want to learn more about the different skin cancer treatment types? Read our informational Photodynamic Therapy blog post.