Skin Cancer Treatment Guide for Melbourne Patients

A changing mole is not a cosmetic concern to watch from a distance. In Australia, where UV exposure is part of daily life, early assessment can make a meaningful difference to treatment complexity, scarring and long-term health. This skin cancer treatment guide explains what typically happens after a suspicious spot is identified, from diagnosis through to treatment, healing and ongoing surveillance.

First, the lesion needs an accurate diagnosis

Skin cancers do not all look or behave the same way. A spot may appear as a new mole, a sore that does not heal, a scaly patch, a pearly bump, or a dark lesion that changes in size, shape or colour. Some lesions are obvious; others are subtle and only become concerning when examined under magnification.

The first priority is a medical assessment. A doctor may examine the area with dermoscopy, review your personal and family history, and assess other sun-exposed areas of skin. If the lesion appears suspicious, a biopsy or complete removal may be recommended so the tissue can be assessed in a laboratory.

This pathology result guides the next step. It confirms whether the lesion is benign, precancerous or cancerous, identifies the type of skin cancer, and helps determine whether it has been completely removed. Treatment should never be selected on appearance alone when cancer is a possibility.

The main types of skin cancer

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type. It usually grows slowly and rarely spreads elsewhere in the body, but it can cause significant local damage if left untreated, particularly around the nose, eyelids, ears and lips.

Squamous cell carcinoma can grow more quickly and has a greater potential to spread than basal cell carcinoma, especially when it is large, recurrent, deeply invasive or located in higher-risk areas. Early, definitive treatment is essential.

Melanoma is less common but can be more serious because it may spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma treatment is determined by factors including its thickness, ulceration, location and whether there is evidence of spread. A suspicious pigmented lesion should be assessed without delay.

Skin cancer treatment options depend on the diagnosis

There is no single treatment that suits every lesion. The right approach depends on the cancer type, its size and depth, its location, previous treatment history, pathology findings and your overall health. For many patients, the best treatment is also the one that protects function and achieves the most considered cosmetic result.

Surgical excision

Surgical excision is a common and highly effective treatment for many basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. The doctor removes the lesion with a clinically appropriate margin of surrounding tissue, then sends the specimen for pathology to confirm clear margins.

Excision offers the reassurance of a definitive tissue diagnosis and can be planned with careful attention to scar placement. This matters on visible areas such as the face, scalp, neck, chest and lower legs. Depending on the location and size of the wound, closure may be straightforward or may require a more advanced repair, such as a local flap or skin graft.

The trade-off is that surgery creates a wound and, therefore, a scar. However, leaving a cancer untreated carries a far greater risk. Skilled planning aims to position scars along natural facial lines where possible and preserve surrounding skin structure.

Mohs micrographic surgery

Mohs surgery is a specialised technique commonly considered for certain high-risk, recurrent or poorly defined cancers, particularly on cosmetically and functionally sensitive areas of the face. Tissue is removed in stages and examined during the procedure, allowing the surgeon to map and remove remaining cancer cells while preserving as much healthy skin as possible.

It is not required for every skin cancer. For an appropriately selected lesion, standard excision may be simpler and equally suitable. Your doctor can advise when referral for Mohs surgery offers a genuine advantage.

Curettage, cautery and cryotherapy

Some superficial or low-risk lesions may be treated with curettage and cautery, where the lesion is carefully scraped and treated with heat, or with cryotherapy, which freezes abnormal cells. These methods can be useful in selected circumstances, but they do not provide the same margin assessment as an excision.

They are generally not the preferred option for lesions where melanoma is suspected or where precise histology is needed. Location also matters: treatments that heal acceptably on the trunk may not be ideal on the face.

Topical and light-based treatments

For some superficial basal cell carcinomas and precancerous sun spots, a doctor may recommend prescription topical therapy or photodynamic therapy. These treatments can address broader areas of sun damage and may be useful where there are multiple superficial lesions.

They require commitment to the treatment schedule and follow-up review. Redness, crusting and inflammation are often part of the expected response, which can be inconvenient in the short term. They are not appropriate for every cancer, so diagnosis remains the foundation of safe care.

Advanced treatment for higher-risk disease

When a skin cancer is more advanced, has spread, or cannot be managed adequately with surgery alone, care may involve a multidisciplinary team. Depending on the diagnosis, this may include surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and imaging specialists. Treatments can include wider surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted medicines.

This is where prompt diagnosis is particularly valuable. The earlier a cancer is identified and treated, the more likely care can remain localised and straightforward.

What happens after skin cancer removal?

Recovery varies according to the treatment and the location of the wound. After an excision, mild tenderness, swelling and bruising are common in the early days. Areas under tension, including the back, shoulders, lower legs and scalp, can take longer to settle and may need more careful activity modification.

Your doctor will provide individual wound-care instructions. In general, keep the site clean and protected, avoid stretching the area, and attend scheduled reviews for dressing changes, suture removal and pathology results. Contact the clinic promptly if you develop increasing pain, spreading redness, discharge, fever, wound separation or unexpected bleeding.

Scar care begins with good healing. Once the wound has closed and your clinician advises it is appropriate, scar management may include silicone-based products, gentle massage and strict sun protection. Fresh scars can darken with UV exposure, so protecting the area is an investment in the final cosmetic result.

At Luxor Hair Transplant & Cosmetic Surgery, skin lesion assessment and treatment are approached with both medical precision and respect for the visible areas patients understandably care about. The priority is always safe diagnosis and complete treatment, followed by a repair plan designed around anatomy, function and natural healing.

Your skin cancer treatment guide to follow-up

Having one skin cancer increases the likelihood of developing another, particularly in people with cumulative sun exposure, fair skin, a history of sunburn, immune suppression or a family history of skin cancer. Follow-up is not an optional extra after treatment. It is part of protecting your future skin health.

Your recommended review schedule will depend on the pathology result and your individual risk profile. Between appointments, check your skin regularly in good light. Ask a partner, family member or trusted person to look at hard-to-see areas such as the scalp, back and backs of the legs.

Arrange a review sooner if you notice a lesion that is new, changing, bleeding, persistently itchy, painful or failing to heal. For pigmented spots, changes in asymmetry, border, colour, diameter or evolution deserve attention. Do not rely on a lesion being painless or small as reassurance.

Prevention remains part of treatment

No treatment can erase past UV exposure, but consistent protection can reduce further damage. In Melbourne, UV levels can be high even when the weather feels cool or overcast. Make sun protection a daily habit rather than something reserved for holidays or beach days.

Use broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen generously on exposed skin, reapply when outdoors, and combine it with protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses and shade. Avoid deliberate tanning and do not use solariums. These measures also help preserve skin quality, reduce pigmentation and support more even healing after treatment.

If you have noticed a changing spot or have delayed a skin check, the most useful next step is simple: arrange a doctor-led assessment while the lesion is still small enough for the widest range of treatment options.