Capital Plastic Surgery, specialist plastic surgeon. General skin cancer surgery. Includes melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cysts, benign lumps. Clinics in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Palmerston North. Wellington region.

General skin cancer surgery
Specialist plastic surgeon

Lower Hutt · Porirua · Palmerston North
Capital Plastic Surgery, specialist plastic surgeon. General skin cancer surgery. Includes melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cysts, benign lumps. Clinics in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Palmerston North. Wellington region.

General skin cancer surgery
Specialist plastic surgeon

Lower Hutt · Porirua · Palmerston North
Capital Plastic Surgery – General skin cancer surgery. Includes melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cysts, benign lumps. Clinics in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Palmerston North. Wellington region.

General skin cancer surgeries

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in New Zealand. They occur when skin cells begin to grow in an uncontrolled fashion and they are often a result of sun damage.

There are three main types of skin cancer:

  • Melanoma. While non-melanoma skin cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body, melanoma can potentially be a life-threatening condition and its treatment is dependent on the stage of disease.
  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma

Surgery is the mainstay treatment for a majority of skin cancers.

Malignant melanoma
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Cysts and benign lumps

Malignant melanoma surgery

Overview of the condition

Malignant melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. If left untreated, melanoma will spread to other parts of the body, often through the lymph nodes. The risk of spread is strongly predicted by the thickness of the melanoma and this will determine the type of treatment required.

  • When identified at an early stage, the disease has an excellent prognosis and skin surgery alone is enough to cure the disease.
  • If identified at an intermediate stage, we may recommend a sentinel lymph node biopsy. This is a technique where we identify the possible path of spread of a melanoma and remove the first lymph node that it would likely spread to. This gives the most accurate prognosis for intermediate risk melanoma, and it may also indicate the need for further treatment.

Your initial consultation

  • Length of initial consultation: 30 mins
  • If imaging/x-rays required: None required

Key facts about the operation

  • Length of surgery on the day: 30 – 45 mins
  • Anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic
  • Length of stay in hospital: Day procedure (you go home the same day)
  • Discharged with dressings

Post surgery recovery

  • Return to light work and use: Usually the next day
  • First follow up appointment: 7 – 10 days after surgery
  • Sutures removed: 1 week after surgery

Referral required

  • If you have private medical insurance and wish to claim through your insurance provider, you will need a referral from your GP or another appropriate medical practitioner.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) removal | Skin cancer surgery

Overview of the condition

BCCs are the most common type of skin cancer that usually develop in sun-exposed areas of the head and face. They are extremely unlikely to spread to other parts of the body and are readily cured with surgery to remove the lesion with a safety margin. The risk of developing a second BCC is high and it is advised to have regular skin checks and early treatment, if required. Most skin lesions can be removed as simple excisions, while some lesions may require minor reconstructive surgery such as skin grafts or local skin flaps.

Your initial consultation

  • Length of initial consultation: 30 mins
  • If imaging/x-rays required: None required

Key facts about the operation

  • Length of surgery on the day: 30 – 45 mins
  • Anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic
  • Length of stay in hospital: Day procedure (you go home the same day)
  • Discharged with simple dressings on your wound

Post surgery recovery

  • Return to light work and use: Usually the next day
  • First follow up appointment: 7 – 10 days after surgery
  • Sutures removed: 1 week after surgery

Referral required

  • If you have private medical insurance and wish to claim through your insurance provider, you will need a referral from your GP or another appropriate medical practitioner.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) surgery

Overview of the condition

SCCs are the second most common type of skin cancer and often occur in fair skinned individuals with a history of sun exposure.

When treated early, they can be successfully cured with surgery to remove the lesion with a safety margin. In rare cases (<5%), these skin cancers can spread to surrounding tissues including lymph nodes. This risk is increased if the body has a compromised immune system.

Your initial consultation

  • Length of initial consultation: 30 mins
  • If imaging/x-rays required: None required

Key facts about the operation

  • Length of surgery on the day: 30 – 45 mins
  • Anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic
  • Length of stay in hospital: Day procedure (you go home the same day)

Post surgery recovery

  • Return to light work and use: Usually the next day
  • First follow up appointment: 7 – 10 days after surgery
  • Sutures removed: 1 – 2 weeks after surgery

Referral required

  • If you have private medical insurance and wish to claim through your insurance provider, you will need a referral from your GP or another appropriate medical practitioner.

Cysts and benign lumps surgery

Overview of the condition

There are a number of benign (non-cancerous) lesions that occur on or under the skin that may require treatment for functional or cosmetic reasons. These can often be removed easily under local anaesthetic in an office setting. Please note that insurance companies will not cover removal for cosmetic reasons. If the lesion is causing functional problems or has had 2 or more infections, then this is usually covered under most insurance policies.

Your initial consultation

  • Length of initial consultation: 20 mins
  • If imaging/x-rays required: None

Key facts about the operation

  • Length of surgery on the day: 30 mins
  • Anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic
  • Length of stay in hospital: Day procedure (you go home the same day)

Post surgery recovery

  • Return to light work and use: The next day
  • First follow up appointment: 7 – 10 days after surgery
  • Sutures removed: 1 – 2 weeks after surgery

Referral required

  • If you have private medical insurance and wish to claim through your insurance provider, you will need a referral from your GP or another appropriate medical practitioner.

General skin cancer surgery | Our clinic locations

Greater Wellington Region & Palmerston North

Lower Hutt   ·   Porirua   ·   Palmerston North