FAQ about Skin Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment – Eastwood Skin Cancer & Cosmetic Clinic part of Dr Peter Kim Surgery
He has a special interest in skin cancer medicine and surgery. He has written more papers on skin cancer surgery than most doctors, including plastic surgeons and dermatologists working in the field. His fellowship training in cosmetic surgery helps him create aesthetically pleasing scars after skin cancer surgery.
Click here to read more about Dr Peter Kim’s professional journey and credentials.
Q: What is a routine skin cancer check?
A: A routine skin cancer check, also known as a skin cancer screening or examination, is a preventive measure to detect skin cancer or any suspicious changes on the skin at an early stage.
It involves a visual examination of your skin by Dr Kim to look for any abnormal growths, moles, or lesions that may be indicative of skin cancer.
Q: Why is a routine skin cancer check important?
A: Routine skin cancer checks are essential because early detection of skin cancer significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.
Skin cancer, when detected early, is curable.
Regular screenings allow Dr Kim to identify any suspicious or potentially cancerous lesions and recommend further evaluation or treatment as necessary.
Q: Who should consider getting routine skin cancer checks?
A: It is generally recommended that adults of all ages, particularly those with a higher risk of skin cancer, consider getting routine skin cancer checks.
Individuals who fall into high-risk categories include those with a family history of skin cancer, a personal history of skin cancer, fair skin, a significant number of moles, or a history of excessive sun exposure.
A: Here is a link to an article about high risk individuals.
Risk of melanoma is higher in patients with prior history of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Gender Inequality in Skin Cancers
Indoor tanning causes skin cancers
Q: How often should I get a routine skin cancer check?
A: The frequency of routine skin cancer checks depends on various factors, including your risk factors, personal history, and the recommendations of your healthcare provider.
As a general guideline, it is recommended to have a skin cancer check annually or as advised by your doctor.
However, those with a higher risk of skin cancer may require more frequent examinations. Also, those with lower risk of skin cancer may require less frequent skin checks.
Q: What can I expect during a routine skin cancer check?
A: During a routine skin cancer check, you will typically be asked to remove your clothing.
Dr Kim will then visually inspect your skin, including areas not typically exposed to the sun, such as your scalp, between your toes, and under your nails.
He uses a magnifying instrument with bright light to examine moles or lesions in more detail.
If any suspicious areas are identified, Dr Kim will recommend a skin biopsy.
<More info below>
Q: Is a routine skin cancer check painful?
A: No, a routine skin cancer check is generally not painful.
The examination primarily involves visual inspection and does not involve any invasive procedures.
If Dr Kim identifies any suspicious areas, they may perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, which may involve a small needle prick or local anesthesia, depending on the situation.
Q: Can I perform a skin cancer check at home?
A: While self-examination of the skin can be a useful way to monitor changes, it is not a substitute for a professional skin cancer check.
It can be challenging to spot all the potential signs of skin cancer on your own, especially in hard-to-reach or hidden areas. Especially areas like back is difficult to self examine.
You would be suprised as to how many skin cancers are diagnosed in Eastwood Skin Cancer Clinic where the patient does not know they have a cancer.
A trained healthcare professional has the knowledge and expertise to identify subtle changes that may be indicative of skin cancer. It is recommended to have routine skin cancer checks performed by a professional.
Latest melanoma incidence rate in Australia
Dr Peter Kim recommends an Annual Skin Cancer Check
Q: What should I do if I notice any changes on my skin between routine skin cancer checks?
A: If you notice any changes on your skin, such as the development of a new mole, changes in the appearance of an existing mole, or the appearance of any suspicious growth or lesion, it is important to consult a healthcare professional promptly.
They can evaluate the changes and determine whether further investigation or treatment is necessary.
Also have a look at out facebook page where we upload daily one skin cancer image diagnosed from Eastwood Skin Cancer Clinic.
https://www.facebook.com/eastwoodskincancer
Q: Are routine skin cancer checks covered by insurance?
A: Following services are bulk billed:
- skin cancer checks
- skin biopsies
Following services have facility fee:
- skin cancer surgery (costs for sterilisation packs, suture packs, sterile gauzes. suture materials, antiseptics are expensive and passed onto the patient).
- laser skin cancer therapy (costs for use of lease and maintainance cost of lasers are passed onto patients).
- photodynamic therapy (costs for use of the medication and lights are passed onto the patient).
There is no medicare rebate for all cosmetic procedures.
Announcement: Eastwood Skin Cancer Clinic to continue Bulk Billing Skin Cancer Checks
Skin biopsies are gold standard in diagnosing a skin cancer.
We live in a world where there is a big advancement in technology. People now use Artificial Intelligence and digital images to assist in diagnosing skin cancers.
These methods can be costly, and sometimes they are heavily relied upon, even though they can give inaccurate results.
They cannot replace a skilled doctor who has many years of experience in diagnosing and treating skin cancers. Dr. Kim has been working in the field of skin cancer medicine for over 15 years. Throughout his career, he has encountered and treated more than 5000 skin cancers.
Read more about Artificial intelligence. AI versus dermatologists in diagnosing melanoma accurately
Punch biopsy
Q: What is a punch biopsy?
A: A punch biopsy is a medical procedure used to obtain a small sample of skin tissue for diagnostic purposes. It involves using a circular cutting tool called a “punch biopsy” to remove a cylindrical-shaped piece of skin from the surface layers. The obtained tissue sample is then examined under a microscope to evaluate for various conditions, including skin cancers, infections, inflammatory diseases, or other abnormalities.
Q: Does a punch biopsy hurt?
A: The area being biopsied is typically numbed with a local anesthetic before a punch biopsy, so you should not feel significant pain during the procedure. However, you may experience some pressure or mild discomfort when the punch tool is used to remove the skin sample. After the procedure, you might feel some soreness or tenderness in the area, but over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate any discomfort.
Q: Are there any risks or complications associated with a punch biopsy?
A: Punch biopsies are generally safe procedures with minimal risks. However, as with any medical procedure, there is a small chance of complications. Potential risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, allergic reactions to the anesthetic, and nerve damage, although these complications are rare.
Q: How long does it take to get the results of a punch biopsy?
A: The time it takes to receive the results of a punch biopsy can vary. In some cases, initial findings may be available within a few days. However, for a comprehensive evaluation, the tissue sample is usually sent to a pathology laboratory where it undergoes microscopic examination by a pathologist. The final pathology report can take several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the laboratory’s workload and the complexity of the case.
Q: Will I have stitches after a punch biopsy?
A: Whether or not you will require stitches after a punch biopsy depends on the size and location of the biopsy site. Smaller punch biopsies typically heal on their own without the need for stitches. However, larger punch biopsies or those in areas under tension may require stitches to facilitate healing and minimize scarring. Stitches may be required if you have the propensity to bleed. Dr Kim will determine the best approach for wound closure based on the specific circumstances.
Q: Can I shower or bathe after a punch biopsy?
A: Generally, you can shower or bathe after a punch biopsy.
Q: What should I do if I notice any signs of infection after a punch biopsy?
A: It is important to monitor the biopsy site for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or worsening pain. If you suspect an infection,
Shave biopsy
Shave biopsy is similar to punch biopsy. A portion of skin is shaved off to allow pathologist to examine the specimen and to provide accurate diagnosis. It is performed under local anaesthesia.
Excisional biopsy
An excisional biopsy is a surgical procedure performed to remove an entire suspicious or abnormal tissue or lesion from the body for further examination. It is commonly used to diagnose melanoma where there can not be sampling error. During the procedure, the entire area of concern, along with a margin of healthy tissue, is surgically excised.
The excisional biopsy procedure typically involves the following steps:
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Local Anesthesia: The area surrounding the biopsy site is numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
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Incision: A surgical incision is made around the suspicious area to allow for the complete removal of the lesion or tissue of concern. The size of the incision depends on the size and depth of the abnormality.
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Removal: The surgeon carefully removes the entire abnormal tissue, ensuring an adequate margin of healthy tissue is also excised. This margin serves to ensure that any surrounding potentially affected tissue is included in the biopsy sample.
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Closure: Once the abnormal tissue is removed, the incision is closed using stitches or other appropriate wound closure techniques. The closure method depends on the size and location of the excision.
After the excisional biopsy, the removed tissue is sent to a pathology laboratory, where it is examined by a pathologist. The pathologist evaluates the tissue under a microscope to determine the nature of the abnormality, whether it is cancerous, pre-cancerous, or benign.
Excisional biopsies are generally performed in cases where a more definitive diagnosis is required, or when the entire abnormal tissue needs to be removed for treatment purposes. It provides a larger and more complete sample compared to other biopsy techniques, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis and assessment of the extent of disease, if present.
Skin cancers can be treated in two ways: surgically or non-surgically.
Surgical treatments include:
- Simple excision: The cancerous area is removed with a surgical procedure.
- Skin flap surgery: Healthy skin is moved from one area to cover the cancerous area.
- Skin graft surgery: Healthy skin is taken from another part of the body and transplanted onto the affected area.
Non-surgical treatments include:
- Creams: Special creams can be applied to the skin to treat certain types of skin cancer.
- Photodynamic therapy: A special light treatment is used in combination with a light-sensitive drug to destroy cancer cells.
- Laser skin cancer therapy: A focused beam of light is used to remove or destroy cancerous cells.
- cryotherapy: liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the precancerous skin lesions to destroy them. It is the most common form of precancerous skin cancer treatment. However, in some patients, they can cause blistering and scabbing that can take few weeks to resolve
- shave excision: a sharp instrument is used to shave off the part of the skin containing skin cancer or precancerous lesions.
Non Surgical Treatments can be used in treating skin cancers that are not fatal such as superficial Basal cell carcinomas. It cannot be used to treat infiltrative basal cell carcinomas or melanoma.
The following situations require a multidisciplinary team approach:
- If the case is complex, a referral to a specialist skin cancer surgeon is necessary for surgical management.
- For advanced melanoma cases where sentinel lymph node biopsy is required, a referral to a melanoma clinic is needed.
Cryotherapy: liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the precancerous skin lesions cause frost bites.
It is the most common form of precancerous skin cancer treatment. It stings for about 15 minutes. Some patients will get ice cream headaches.
Usually, it leaves a small scab on the skin.
In the case of hypertrophic solar keratosis, it is possible that the lesion may not be completely eliminated after one treatment. It may require 2-3 sessions every 4 weeks.
In rare instances, a blister may form on the skin. This should be allowed to heal naturally, and they typically heal without any complications. Dr Kim usually prescribe some antibiotics to prevent skin infection. The healing process may take several weeks.
One potential complication of cryotherapy is the development of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. PIH is generally self limiting but hypopigmenation may be permanent.
We consider ourselves as an important part of a team that works together to treat skin cancers.
At Eastwood Skin Cancer Clinic, 90% of skin cancers can be treated safely, effectively, and without any cost.
You can initially consult with Dr. Kim for your skin cancer concerns. If it is a case that he cannot manage, he will refer you to the right specialist or a melanoma unit.