Finding a suspicious spot can be daunting, but in New Zealand, surgical intervention is the “gold standard” for treatment. Because our UV levels are so high, Kiwi doctors are world-class experts in removing skin cancers with high precision and excellent cosmetic results.
Common Surgical Procedures
The type of surgery you receive depends on the cancer’s type, size, and location.
- Standard Surgical Excision: This is the most common approach for BCCs and SCCs. The doctor numbs the area with a local anesthetic and cuts out the skin cancer along with a small “safety margin” of healthy skin. The sample is then sent to a lab to ensure all cancer cells are gone.
- Mohs Micrographic Surgery: Often used for cancers on the face, nose, or ears, Mohs offers the highest cure rate (up to 99%). The surgeon removes the cancer layer by layer, checking each one under a microscope during the procedure. This ensures 100% of the margins are clear while saving as much healthy tissue as possible.
- Wide Local Excision: Typically used for Melanoma, this involves removing the lesion plus a larger margin of healthy skin to ensure no microscopic cells remain.
Wound Repair and Reconstruction
Once the cancer is removed, the focus shifts to healing and aesthetics.
- Primary Closure: Small wounds are simply stitched together in a straight line.
- Skin Flaps: For larger areas, the surgeon may move a “flap” of nearby loose skin over the wound. This usually provides the best color and texture match.
- Skin Grafts: If there isn’t enough local skin, a thin piece of skin is taken from a “donor site” (like the thigh or behind the ear) to cover the area.
Recovery in the Kiwi Sun
Post-surgery, most patients return to light activity within a few days. However, protecting your scar is vital—new scar tissue is highly sensitive to UV and can darken permanently if exposed to the NZ sun. Always keep the area covered or use high-SPF zinc during the healing phase.