Led by Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Qadir Khan (FRACS)
Skin and skin cancer procedures address a range of medical and surgical concerns, from the assessment and management of skin cancers to treatment of scars. At West Coast Plastic Surgery in Perth, we provide specialist-led care following comprehensive consultation, with each procedure considered based on individual assessment, clinical indication and appropriate treatment planning.
Skin cancer treatment involves the assessment and surgical management of skin lesions. During consultation, we evaluate the lesion, discuss treatment options and explain the recommended approach based on clinical findings and histology where required.
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that requires timely assessment and management. Consultation includes examination, discussion of diagnosis, and planning of appropriate surgical treatment in line with clinical guidelines.
Scar revision procedures aim to address the appearance or functional impact of scars following injury or surgery. Suitability and treatment options are discussed during consultation, with consideration of scar type, location and individual factors.
Comprehensive Consultation
Your journey begins with a detailed consultation with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Qadir Khan (FRACS). We take time to understand your concerns, review your medical history and discuss suitability, options and potential risks.
Personalised Treatment Planning
Based on your assessment, we develop an individualised treatment plan tailored to your needs. This includes clear discussion of recommended procedures, preparation, recovery considerations and expected follow-up care.
Specialist-Led Procedure
All procedures are performed by a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in appropriately accredited facilities. Care is delivered using established surgical techniques, with patient safety and clinical standards as the priority.
Ongoing Support & Follow-Up
Following treatment, we provide structured post-procedure care and follow-up appointments. Our team remains available to support recovery, monitor progress and address any questions throughout your care.
Our highly qualified practitioners bring extensive expertise in cosmetic medicine and skin rejuvenation, delivering safe, effective treatments tailored to your individual needs.
We utilise the latest medical-grade equipment and proven treatment modalities to address multiple skin concerns with precision and effectiveness.
Every patient receives a thorough consultation and customised treatment plan based on your specific concerns, skin type, and aesthetic goals.
We prioritise subtle, natural-looking outcomes that refresh and rejuvenate your features without appearing overdone or artificial.
We provide honest communication about treatment options, expected outcomes, and costs so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
We provide thorough aftercare guidance, follow-up appointments, and ongoing support to ensure you achieve the best possible outcomes.
You should have a skin cancer assessment if you notice any changes to existing moles or spots, develop new lesions, have a spot that bleeds, itches, or doesn’t heal, or notice any skin abnormality that concerns you. Regular skin checks are particularly important if you have fair skin, a history of sun exposure or sunburn, a family history of skin cancer, numerous moles, or a previous history of skin cancer. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.
Common warning signs include changes in size, shape, or colour of existing lesions; asymmetry; irregular borders; multiple colours within a single spot; diameter larger than 6mm; or any evolving characteristics. If you’re uncertain about any skin changes, it’s always better to have them assessed promptly. Mr Khan can evaluate concerning lesions during a consultation and recommend appropriate management, which may include biopsy, excision, or monitoring depending on the clinical presentation.
West Coast Plastic Surgery provides comprehensive assessment and management of all common skin cancers including:
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The most common type of skin cancer, typically appearing as a pearly or waxy bump, or a flat, flesh-coloured or brown scar-like lesion. Generally slow-growing with excellent treatment outcomes.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Appears as a firm, red nodule or flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface. Requires prompt treatment as it can spread if left untreated.
Melanoma: The most serious form of skin cancer, appearing as a new spot or existing mole that changes in colour, size, or shape. Early detection and treatment are critical.
We provide complete surgical excision with appropriate margins, reconstruction when necessary to achieve optimal functional and cosmetic outcomes, and coordination with other specialists for complex cases requiring additional treatment. Treatment approach depends on the type, size, location, and stage of the skin cancer.
Melanoma management requires a comprehensive, structured approach:
Initial Assessment: Clinical examination and dermoscopy to evaluate suspicious lesions. If melanoma is suspected, an excisional biopsy is performed to confirm diagnosis and determine the thickness and characteristics of the melanoma.
Definitive Treatment: Once melanoma is confirmed, a wider excision is performed with appropriate surgical margins based on the melanoma thickness (Breslow depth). This ensures complete removal whilst preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: For melanomas of certain thickness or characteristics, sentinel lymph node biopsy may be recommended to determine if the melanoma has spread to regional lymph nodes.
Reconstruction: Following excision, the wound is closed using appropriate techniques to achieve the best cosmetic and functional outcome. For larger excisions, skin grafts or local flaps may be required.
Ongoing Monitoring: Regular follow-up appointments to monitor for recurrence and new lesions, with frequency depending on melanoma stage and risk factors.
Multidisciplinary Care: For advanced melanomas, coordination with oncologists, dermatologists, and other specialists as needed for comprehensive treatment planning.
Skin cancer surgery involves several key steps:
Pre-Operative Assessment: Clinical examination, discussion of the procedure, expected outcomes, and potential scarring. Photographs may be taken for medical records.
Anaesthesia: Most skin cancer excisions are performed under local anaesthetic as day procedures. Larger or more complex excisions may require sedation or general anaesthetic.
Excision: The skin cancer is removed along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. Margin size depends on the type and characteristics of the skin cancer.
Tissue Analysis: The excised tissue is sent to pathology for examination to confirm complete removal and determine if further treatment is needed.
Reconstruction: The wound is closed using the most appropriate technique. Simple excisions may be closed directly with stitches. Larger defects may require skin grafts, local tissue rearrangement (flaps), or healing by secondary intention, depending on location and size.
Post-Operative Care: Wound care instructions are provided. Most patients can resume normal activities within days, avoiding strenuous activity near the surgical site. Stitches are typically removed within 5-14 days depending on location.
Follow-Up: Review of pathology results, wound check, and discussion of any additional treatment needed if margins were incomplete.
Yes, scars from skin cancer surgery can often be improved through various treatment approaches:
Initial Scar Management: Proper wound care, sun protection, and massage can help optimise scar healing in the months following surgery. Silicone sheets or gels may be recommended to minimise scar appearance.
Scar Revision Surgery: If a scar is particularly prominent, wide, raised, or cosmetically concerning, surgical scar revision may be an option once the scar has fully matured (typically 12-18 months after initial surgery). Techniques include re-excision with more refined closure, Z-plasty to reorient scar direction, or geometric broken-line closure.
Non-Surgical Treatments: Depending on scar characteristics, treatments such as laser therapy, steroid injections for raised scars, dermal fillers for depressed scars, or skin resurfacing procedures may improve appearance.
Timing: It’s important to allow scars adequate time to mature before considering revision, as scars continue to improve naturally for 12-18 months after surgery. Early intervention may be appropriate for certain complications such as wound contracture affecting function.
During your consultation, we can assess your scar, discuss realistic expectations for improvement, and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach for your individual situation.
