Skin cancer surgery at Leicester Hospital

FAQs

• Will I be awake during my surgery?

  Often, yes. Smaller skin cancers are usually removed under local anaesthetic, so you are awake with the area completely numbed. Larger or more complex operations are more likely to need a general anaesthetic, so you are asleep throughout.

• What is Mohs surgery and how is it different from a standard excision?

  A standard excision removes the cancer and a border of skin in one go, checking it under a microscope afterwards. Mohs surgery removes it in thin layers instead, examining each one under a microscope before deciding whether more needs to come away, which can take longer on the day but is especially precise for cancers on the face or other sensitive areas.

• Will I need a skin graft or flap?

  Only if a fairly large area of skin needs to be removed. A skin graft uses skin taken from another part of your body to cover the wound, while a skin flap uses nearby skin moved into place instead. Your surgeon will tell you if either is likely to be needed before your operation.

• How successful is skin cancer surgery?

  Very successful, especially when caught early. Mohs surgery in particular offers very high cure rates.

• How long until my scar fully settles?

  Longer than most people expect: often the best part of a year, and sometimes beyond that, before a scar reaches its final colour, texture and shape. It is normal for it to look more obvious in the weeks and months right after surgery.

• Could I need more than one procedure?

  With Mohs surgery, removing all the cancer can take several rounds in a single day, so you may be at the clinic longer than expected. Occasionally, a separate reconstruction with another specialist, such as a plastic surgeon, is arranged for the same day or shortly after, if your wound needs more complex repair.