Skin cancer - facial skin cancer removal

What is facial skin cancer removal?

It is the surgical removal of a cancer of the skin of the face. This is usually carried out under local anaesthetic and it doesn’t involve a stay in hospital. The abnormal area is removed with a small margin of normal skin and sent to be looked at underneath the microscope and then the gap that is left is sewn together or filled up with some skin from near the defect.

How does facial skin cancer removal work?

This type of treatment works by removing the cancerous cells and enabling the wound to heal up in the best aesthetic position possible.

What are the benefits?

The benefits are that a likely or obvious facial skin cancer is removed. If facial skin cancers are left behind, they can often cause quite a lot of destruction of the skin and underlying structures and can sometimes spread in the rest of the body.

How safe is the treatment?

As this skin cancer treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, it is very safe. Rare complications include occasional bruising or infection and sometimes bleeding. It is very uncommon for the skin cancer not to be completely removed.

Paying for your operation

Costs may be covered by most medical insurance policies, but please check with your insurer first. If you are paying for your own treatment the cost of the operation will be explained and confirmed in writing when you book the operation. Ask the hospital for a quote beforehand, and ensure that this includes the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee and the hospital charge for your procedure.

For further information or to book a consultation or treatment, please get in touch with our cancer enquiries team: Call us on 0800 157 7747

Content reviewed: October 2014