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[av_heading tag=’h2′ padding=’0′ heading=’Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Removal’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=”]
Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas.
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• The most common skin cancer removed in my office is Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC).
• The second most common skin cancer that I remove is Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
• Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas are called “Non-Melanoma” Skin Cancers.
• Basal Cell Carcinomas may be classified as either simple or complicated.

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• You may eat normally prior to the procedure.
• Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
• You will be able to drive home or use public transportation after the procedure.

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• The skin around the lesion is injected with a local anesthetic to numb the area.
• The injection stings for a few seconds. After this, there is no pain or discomfort.
• The lesion is removed from the skin in a scraping motion with an instrument called a curette.
• As the area is numb from the anesthetic, this process is not painful.
• The curetted area is then treated with electrocautery, a hot electric needle.  This is not painful as the area is still numb.
• Electrocautery stops any bleeding and kills any residual cancer cells.
• The lesion is scraped and cauterized a total of 3 times in one visit.
• No stitches are required.
• Antibiotic and a bandage are used to cover the wound.
• The day after surgery, the bandage should be removed and a small amount of antibiotic should be be applied.  This should occur twice daily site is healed, for about two weeks.
• Redness, pain, swelling or a discharge from the wound may be a sign of infection.  The doctor should be informed immediately.
• You may bathe, shower and do your normal activities unless the non-melanoma skin cancer that has been removed is very large and there is a risk of the wound being damaged. The doctor will inform you about this.
• There is a small chance that the lesion could grow back.

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• The skin around the lesion is injected with a local anesthetic to numb the area.
• The injection stings for a few seconds. After this, there is no pain or discomfort.
• The non-melanoma skin cancer and a small amount of surrounding normal skin is cut with a scalpel and removed.
• As the area is numb from the anesthetic, this process is not painful.
• Stitches are used to close the opening.
• Antibiotic and a bandage are used to cover the wound.
• The day after surgery, the bandage should be removed and a small amount of antibiotic should be be applied.  This should occur twice daily until the stitches are removed.
• Redness, pain, swelling or a discharge from the wound may be a sign of infection.  The doctor should be informed immediately.
• The stitches are removed in 5 to 10 days.
• The removal of stitches is painless.
• You may bathe, shower and do your normal activities unless the lesion that has been removed is very large and there is a risk of the wound being damaged. The doctor will inform you about this.
• There is a small chance that the non-melanoma skin cancer could grow back.

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• To receive radiotherapy of a basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, the lesion must be biopsied first.
• To do the biopsy:
  • The skin around the lesion is injected with a local anesthetic to numb the area.
  • The injection stings for a few seconds. After this, there is no pain or discomfort.
  • A small portion of the lesion is removed.
  • As the area is numb from the anesthetic, this process is not painful.
  • Stitches are usually not necessary to close the opening.
  • The biopsied area is then treated with electrocautery, a hot electric needle.  This is not painful as the area is still numb.
  • The electrocautery is used to stop any bleeding.
  • Antibiotic and a bandage are used to cover the wound.
  • The day after surgery, the bandage should be removed and a small amount of antibiotic should be be applied for 1 week.
  • Redness, pain, swelling or a discharge from the wound may be a sign of infection.  The doctor should be informed immediately.
  • If stitches were used, they are removed in 5 to 10 days.
  • The removal of stitches is painless.
  • You may bathe, shower and do your normal activities after the biopsy.
• Once the biopsy result is available the doctor will make a referral to a radiation specialist.
• In Hamilton the radiation treatments and specialists are located at the Juravinski Cancer Centre next to the Henderson General Hospital.
• The first visit with the radiation specialist if for an assessment only.
• If he or she agrees with your doctor that the lesion is suitable for radiation, treatments will be arranged.
• Most non-melanoma skin cancers required 10 to 15 treatments.  These are done daily, Monday to Friday over a period of 2 to 3 weeks.
• After the radiation is complete, the spot will become red, scabby and crusted.
• This will heal over the next few weeks.
• There is a small chance that the lesion could grow back.

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• Mohs micrographic surgery is a detailed surgical procedure to treat aggressive non-melanoma skin cancers, mainly on the face and neck.
• This treatment is usually reserved for the most complicated cases.
• I refer my patients from the Hamilton area, to the  Mohs Centre at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto.
• Initially, the diagnosis must been confirmed with a biopsy (see above), prior to the referral being made

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