Skin Lesions
Assessment and surgical removal of skin lesions, with careful planning around diagnosis, wound closure and scarring.
What is a skin lesion?
Skin lesions include a wide range of growths, lumps, moles and areas of abnormal skin. Some are benign, while others may require removal because they are changing, causing symptoms or need further examination to establish a diagnosis.
Surgical removal generally involves excising the lesion and closing the resulting wound. Where diagnosis is uncertain or there is concern about skin cancer, the removed tissue may be sent to a pathology laboratory for examination under a microscope.
The surgical approach depends on the type, size and location of the lesion, as well as the amount of tissue that needs to be removed. Larger or more complex wounds may require reconstructive techniques such as a local skin flap or skin graft.
Dr Katie-Beth Webster will assess the lesion and surrounding tissue before discussing the most appropriate approach to removal and reconstruction.
Understanding skin cancer and melanoma
Skin cancers can behave differently depending on their type, location and stage. Early assessment and appropriate treatment are important to reduce the risk of progression and to plan removal and reconstruction carefully.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer surgery removes cancerous or pre-cancerous skin lesions to prevent spread and achieve the best cosmetic result. It is the most effective treatment for most types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and some melanomas.
Types of Skin Cancer Treated
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): slow-growing and rarely spreads, but can invade nearby tissue if untreated.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): may grow faster and, in some cases, spread to lymph nodes if not removed.
Melanoma: the most serious form of skin cancer, requires early detection and complete excision.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that starts in pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. It can spread quickly if left untreated, but when detected early, treatment is highly effective.
What to Look For
Melanoma often appears as a new spot on the skin or a change in an existing mole. Warning signs can be remembered with the ABCDE rule:
A – Asymmetry: one half doesn’t match the other
B – Border: edges are irregular or blurred
C – Colour: uneven colour or multiple shades
D – Diameter: larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
E – Evolving: changing in size, shape, or colour
What you can expect
Every skin lesion is different. The treatment plan will depend on the lesion itself, where it is located and how the resulting wound can be safely repaired.
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Your consultation begins with an assessment of the lesion, including its size, location, appearance and any previous biopsy or pathology results.
Dr Webster will also review your medical history, medications, allergies, smoking status and factors that may influence wound healing.
Where previous pathology is available, this can help determine how much additional tissue may need to be removed. If the diagnosis remains uncertain, biopsy or complete excision may be recommended so the tissue can be examined by a pathologist.
The expected scar and options for closing the wound will also be discussed before treatment.
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Many smaller skin lesions can be removed under local anaesthetic.
The lesion is carefully excised and, where required, sent for pathology. Small wounds can often be closed directly with sutures.
For larger lesions or areas where direct closure would create excessive tension or distortion, reconstruction may require movement of nearby skin using a local flap or, occasionally, a skin graft.
More extensive procedures may need to be performed in a hospital or day-surgery setting depending on the location, complexity and reconstruction required.
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Recovery depends on the location and extent of the procedure.
Some swelling, bruising, tenderness and temporary tightness around the wound are common. You will receive instructions regarding dressings, wound care, activity and when sutures should be removed.
Where the lesion has been sent for pathology, the result will be reviewed once available. If the pathology shows that further treatment or additional excision is required, Dr Webster will discuss the next steps with you.
Scars are permanent but generally change considerably as they mature, becoming softer and less noticeable over time.
Why choose Dr Katie-Beth Webster?
Dr Katie-Beth Webster is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with training in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
When planning skin lesion surgery, she considers the lesion itself alongside the surrounding anatomy, wound closure and potential reconstructive requirements.
Your consultation will include a discussion of the proposed procedure, expected scar, recovery, pathology process and the possibility that further treatment may be required depending on the diagnosis.
The focus is on clear communication, appropriate surgical management and reconstructive planning tailored to the individual lesion and patient. Dr Katie-Beth Webster offers consultations in Melbourne, with appointments available in Box Hill and East Melbourne.
Common questions asked on skin lesions
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Lesions showing changes in colour, shape, or size
Painful, bleeding, or irritated lesions
Suspicious growths requiring biopsy or exclusion of skin cancer
Benign lesions removed for comfort or appearance
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The surgical approach depends on the type, size, and location of the cancer:
Simple Excision: removal of the tumour with a margin of normal skin; closed with fine sutures.
Wide Local Excision: used for melanoma or aggressive cancers; removes a broader margin to ensure complete clearance.
Curettage and Cautery: for small or superficial lesions; tissue is scraped and cauterised to destroy remaining cells.
Skin Flap or Graft Reconstruction: when larger areas are removed, nearby tissue or a skin graft may be used to restore natural appearance and function.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: may be performed for melanoma to check for spread to nearby lymph nodes.
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Performed under local anaesthesia in a minor procedure setting
Technique depends on lesion type and location:
Simple excision: lesion removed with a small margin of normal tissue; closed with fine sutures
Shave excision: raised lesions removed flush with the skin surface; minimal scarring
Punch excision: small circular blade used for small moles or cysts
Curettage or cautery: superficial lesions scraped or cauterised (no sutures)
Specimens are often sent for histopathological analysis to confirm diagnosis
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Many smaller skin lesion procedures can be performed under local anaesthetic, which numbs the treatment area while you remain awake.
Larger lesions, complex reconstructions or lesions in particular anatomical locations may require sedation or general anaesthesia and treatment in a hospital or day-surgery setting.
The recommended anaesthetic will depend on the procedure being planned.
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The goal is complete removal of the lesion or cancer with minimal scarring.
Scars fade over time and are usually positioned along natural skin lines.
Cosmetic outcome depends on site, skin type and aftercare
In some cases, reconstructive techniques restore a near-normal appearance.
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Bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing
Scarring or pigment change
Incomplete excision requiring re-operation
Rare recurrence of lesion
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Regular skin checks every 6–12 months
Sun protection: daily SPF 50+, protective clothing, and avoidance of tanning beds
Early assessment of any new or changing lesions
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Recovery varies considerably depending on the lesion location, size and reconstruction performed.
Following a straightforward excision, many patients can return to usual daily activities relatively quickly, although the wound must still be protected while healing.
Procedures involving larger excisions, grafts or flaps generally require more careful postoperative management and may involve greater restrictions on activity.
You will receive personalised wound-care instructions and guidance about exercise, work and suture removal.