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Skin cancer on the face is common in Australia, and certain areas, including the nose, ears, lips, and eyelids, are more frequently affected due to years of sun exposure. Because these areas are both functionally important and highly visible, treatment often involves careful planning that considers both the removal of the lesion and the appearance of the area afterwards.
If your GP or dermatologist has identified a suspicious lesion on your face, it is usually referred for further assessment and, where needed, surgical treatment.
Options: Excision and Reconstruction Planning
The primary treatment for most facial skin cancers is surgical excision, where the lesion and a margin of surrounding tissue are removed and sent for pathology. Depending on the size and location of the area removed, reconstruction may be needed to restore both function and appearance, particularly around the eyes, nose, and lips.
Dr Flood, as a FRACS-qualified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, plans excision and reconstruction together from the outset, so that the approach to removing the cancer also accounts for how the area will look and function afterwards. You can read more about the facial skin cancer surgery options offered, as well as skin cancer treatment for the body, where relevant.
Risks and Pathology Discussion
As with any surgical procedure, excision and reconstruction carry risks, including scarring, infection, changes in sensation, and the possibility that further surgery is needed if pathology results show the margins were not fully clear. Pathology results are typically discussed with you once available, and next steps are planned based on those findings.
Dr Flood will talk through these risks in the context of your specific lesion, its location, and your overall health, so you know what to expect at each stage rather than being met with surprises later.
Recovery and Follow Up
Recovery time depends on the size and location of the area treated and whether reconstruction was required. Swelling and bruising are common in the early stages, and follow-up appointments are used to monitor healing and check pathology results.
Ongoing skin checks are usually recommended after treatment, since a history of skin cancer can increase the likelihood of further lesions developing over time.
Referral Pathway With GP and Dermatologist
Most patients reach Dr Flood’s practice through a referral from a GP or dermatologist who has identified a suspicious lesion. This referral pathway helps ensure that any relevant history, prior biopsies, or imaging are shared ahead of your consultation.
If you have noticed a changing spot or lesion and have not yet seen your GP or dermatologist, that is generally the appropriate first step, so that any necessary referral for facial skin cancer surgery or reconstruction can be arranged.
Questions to Ask at Consultation
It can help to go into your consultation with specific questions prepared, such as what the excision will involve, whether reconstruction is likely to be needed, what the expected scarring might look like, and what the recovery and follow-up schedule will be.
For general background reading on skin cancer in Australia, Cancer Council Australia and Healthdirect Australia both provide independent, patient-focused information.
Ask Your GP or Dermatologist About a Referral to Dr Flood
If facial skin cancer surgery or reconstruction may be needed in your case, ask your GP or dermatologist about a referral, or contact Dr John Flood’s practice directly for more information.
