A spot on the skin can look worrying and prove harmless, or look ordinary and prove to be cancer. The only way to know for certain is to remove tissue and examine it under a microscope. Skin lesion and mole removal in Dandenong is a routine GP procedure that does exactly this. It is usually done under local anaesthetic in a single visit.
Most people feel some anxiety before a procedure on their skin. Knowing how it works and what recovery involves can make the process easier. This guide explains the common procedures and what to expect in the weeks that follow. It also covers how results are reported and what happens if further treatment is needed.
Why a GP recommends removal
There are two main reasons to remove a skin lesion. The first is diagnosis. If a spot looks suspicious during a skin check, removing it allows a pathologist to confirm what it is. The second is treatment, when a lesion is already known or strongly suspected to be skin cancer.
Some harmless lesions are removed because they cause problems. A mole that catches on clothing or a razor may bleed often and become sore. A cyst that keeps becoming inflamed may be better removed than left. The GP will talk through the reasons with you before any procedure.
Removal for cosmetic reasons alone is handled differently from medical removal. The GP can explain what applies in your case. Ask the reception team about bulk billing and any out-of-pocket costs when you book.
Lesions that GPs commonly remove
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the skin cancer GPs remove most often. Cancer Council NSW notes that BCC makes up about 66 per cent of skin cancers. It usually grows slowly and only rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Left untreated, however, some BCCs grow deeper and can damage nearby tissue and nerves. Cancer Council NSW also notes that having one BCC increases your risk of another, so follow-up checks matter after any removal.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second common type. It often appears as a thick, scaly spot that grows over weeks or months. SCC is more likely than BCC to spread if it is ignored, so prompt removal is important. SCCs are most common on skin that has had years of sun, such as the face and the backs of the hands.
Suspicious moles make up another large group. These are moles with one or more of the melanoma warning signs and the ABCDE rule features. Many turn out to be benign, but removal is the only way to rule melanoma out. The GP may also remove skin tags or benign growths that are irritated.
Types of removal procedure
The procedure depends on the type of lesion and where it is on your body. A GP chooses the method that gives the pathologist enough tissue while leaving the smallest reasonable wound. Each method has its own purpose.
Shave removal
A punch biopsy uses a small circular blade, similar to a tiny cookie cutter, to remove a core of skin. healthdirect explains that the procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes under local anaesthetic. The sample is usually less than 4 millimetres across and about 1.5 millimetres deep. The GP then closes the small hole with a stitch or covers it with a dressing.
Punch biopsies are useful when the GP needs a sample to confirm a diagnosis before planning treatment. They are often used for a suspected BCC or for a rash that needs investigation. If the result confirms a skin cancer, the GP will plan a second procedure to remove the rest of the lesion.
Shave removal
A shave removal takes a thin slice from the surface of the skin with a blade. It suits raised lesions that affect only the upper layers, such as some seborrhoeic keratoses. No stitches are needed, and the wound heals with a small scab. Shave removal is not suitable when melanoma is suspected, because the pathologist needs the full depth of the lesion
Excision
An excision removes the whole lesion along with a margin of normal skin around it. This is the standard approach for a suspected melanoma and for most confirmed skin cancers. DermNet describes how the doctor cuts an ellipse around and under the lesion, then stitches the wound edges together into a thin line. The tissue is placed in a preserving solution and sent to a pathology laboratory.
The ellipse shape allows the wound to close neatly. The finished scar is usually about three times as long as the lesion is wide. This can surprise patients, so ask the GP about the expected scar length before the procedure.
Freezing
Sunspots and some other surface lesions can be treated by freezing with liquid nitrogen. This method does not provide tissue for testing. For that reason, GPs use it only when the diagnosis is clear from the examination.
Preparing for the procedure
Good preparation makes the day easier. Tell the GP about all the medicines you take, especially any that affect bleeding. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own, as the GP will advise if any change is needed. Also mention any allergies, in particular to dressings or adhesive tape.
Tell the GP if you have a pacemaker or another implanted device. Some cautery equipment can affect these devices, so the GP may use a different method. You can eat and drink normally before a local anaesthetic procedure. Wear loose clothing that makes the area easy to reach and will not rub on the dressing afterwards.Think about your plans for the following two weeks. A wound on the back or legs may limit heavy exercise until the stitches are out. If you swim often, ask how long to keep the wound out of the water. Planning around these limits helps the wound heal with a neater scar.
On the day of the procedure
The GP starts by marking the area and cleaning the skin. A local anaesthetic injection numbs the site within a minute or two. The injection may sting briefly, but after that you should feel pressure and movement without sharp pain. Tell the GP if any part of the procedure becomes painful.
DermNet notes that the doctor may seal small blood vessels with a cautery device during an excision. This can make a hissing sound and a burning smell, but you will not feel it. Deeper wounds may be closed with two layers of stitches. The inner layer dissolves on its own, and the outer layer is removed at a later visit.
A simple excision often takes less than half an hour from start to finish. Most people can go home straight afterwards. If the wound is on a hand or a foot, plan for some limits on use for a few days.
Caring for the wound
The first two days matter most. DermNet advises leaving the dressing in place and keeping the wound dry for 48 hours. After that, you can gently wash and dry the area. The site may feel tender for an hour or two once the anaesthetic wears off.
Bleeding after the procedure is usually minor. If it occurs, press firmly on the dressing with a clean folded towel for 20 minutes without lifting it to look. Seek medical attention if the bleeding continues after that time. Avoid heavy lifting or stretching of the area until the stitches are out.
Watch for signs of infection over the following days. Increasing redness or swelling around the wound needs attention. So does pus or a fever. Contact the clinic if you notice any of these, as early treatment of a wound infection is usually simple.
Dandenong Doctors also provides wound care and dressings as part of its other medical services. If you are unsure how the wound is healing, book a short review. It is better to have a wound checked early than to wait until a problem grows.
Returning to work and exercise
Most people return to desk work the same day or the next day. Jobs that involve heavy lifting or bending may need more care, depending on where the wound is. Ask the GP for a medical certificate if your work puts strain on the area. Light walking is usually fine, but save hard exercise until the stitches are out.
Possible risks
Skin lesion removal is a common procedure, and serious problems are uncommon. As with any procedure, some risks remain. Bleeding and infection are the most frequent problems, and both are usually minor when treated early. The GP will explain the risks that apply to your procedure before you agree to go ahead.
Other risks depend on the site. A wound under tension can open if stitches come out too early or the area is stretched. Small skin nerves are sometimes cut, which can leave a patch of numbness that often improves over months. Rarely, a lesion can grow back if some cells remain, so report any regrowth at the site.
Stitch removal and scarring
The timing of stitch removal depends on where the wound is. Stitches on the face usually come out after about five to seven days. Stitches on the back or legs often stay in for 10 to 14 days, because these areas heal more slowly and are under more tension. The GP will tell you when to book.
Stitch removal is quick and usually painless. It is one of the minor procedures that GPs at Dandenong Doctors handle routinely. The GP also checks that the wound has healed well at the same visit.
Every excision leaves a scar, and the final appearance takes months to settle. Scars are often red and firm at first, then gradually fade and soften. Scars on the chest or upper back are more likely to stretch. Protect the scar from the sun for at least a year, since UV exposure can darken it.
Looking after the scar in the long term
Once the wound has closed, gentle care can help the scar settle. Some GPs suggest light massage of the healed scar with a plain moisturiser after a few weeks. Silicone gel or tape, available without a prescription, may help some scars flatten over time. Ask the GP when it is safe to start any of these steps.
Getting your results
The pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope and sends a report to the GP. DermNet notes that this report usually arrives a few days after the procedure. The GP will arrange a follow-up appointment to explain the result, often at the same visit as stitch removal.
The report states what the lesion was. For skin cancers, it also states if the margins are clear. Clear margins mean no cancer cells were seen at the edge of the removed tissue. If the margins are not clear, a wider excision may be needed.
For melanoma, the report also gives the thickness of the tumour. This measurement guides further treatment and the follow-up schedule. If the result shows a cancer that needs specialist care, the GP will refer you to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. The GP remains involved in your ongoing care.
Lesion removal for children and older adults
Children sometimes need a lesion removed, usually a mole that has changed or a growth that causes discomfort. A local anaesthetic procedure is often possible with a calm setting and a parent present. The GP will discuss a suitable approach for your child's age and the site of the lesion.
Older adults are more likely to need skin cancers removed, because sun damage builds up over decades. Thin, fragile skin can make wound healing slower. The GP may adjust the closure method or the timing of stitch removal to suit. A family member can help with dressings if reaching the wound is difficult.
The role of skin checks before and after removal
Most removals start with a skin examination. The article on what happens during a full skin check explains how GPs find the spots that need removal. After any skin cancer, regular checks become more important, because the risk of another one is higher.
The guide to skin cancer checks in Dandenong covers who should be checked and how often. More information about the skin cancer check service is on the clinic website. If you have a spot that has changed or bled, book a GP appointment to have it assessed.
Having a lesion removed is a small procedure with a clear purpose, because it replaces doubt with a definite answer. Often that answer is reassuring. When it is not, finding out early usually leaves more treatment options open.