Skin Cancer Surgery in Melbourne

Yes. A referral from your GP or dermatologist is required before booking an initial consultation. Holding a valid referral also entitles you to a Medicare rebate on your specialist consultation fee. If you require help locating a GP, please contact us, and we will assist.

A wide local excision refers specifically to the removal of a confirmed skin cancer with a predefined margin of surrounding normal tissue, determined by the cancer’s type and depth. A standard excision may refer to the initial diagnostic removal of a suspicious lesion before a formal diagnosis is confirmed. If a diagnosis of cancer is made following an initial excision, a further wide local excision is often required to achieve adequate margins.

Not all excisions require a graft. Whether a graft or flap is needed depends on the size and location of the defect, and the amount of surrounding skin available for direct closure. We will discuss the planned closure technique with you at your pre-operative consultation.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is generally recommended for melanomas with a Breslow thickness greater than 0.8 mm, or those with high-risk histological features such as ulceration, a high mitotic rate, or lymphovascular invasion. We will review your biopsy report and discuss whether this procedure is indicated in your situation.

In most cases, sentinel lymph node biopsy is performed at the same time as the wide local excision under the same general anaesthetic. Performing both procedures together avoids the need for a second operation and reduces the risk of disrupting lymphatic drainage pathways.

A positive sentinel node indicates that melanoma cells have spread to the regional lymph nodes. This result is used to guide further management, which may include therapeutic lymph node dissection, adjuvant immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or entry into a clinical trial. We will discuss the options with you and, where appropriate, refer you to a medical oncologist.

Recovery depends on the anatomical region involved (axilla, groin, or neck) and the extent of the dissection. Most patients are hospitalised for 1-3 days and may have a surgical drain in place after discharge. Return to light activity typically occurs within 2-4 weeks, with more demanding activities taking longer. Physiotherapy is often recommended to support recovery, particularly for axillary or groin dissections.

Most skin cancer surgery procedures have a Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item number, which provides a partial rebate on surgical fees. Depending on the procedure and whether it is performed in a hospital or a room setting, out-of-pocket costs will vary. Our administration team can provide a fee estimate before your procedure so you are fully informed.