Skin Cancer Patient Information

The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) consists of a team with specialist training and experience in the diagnosis and management of skin cancer. 

Axillary dissection is the name of the surgery to remove your lymph nodes in your armpit. This is undertaken when the cancer cells have travelled from the original skin cancer site and settled in the lymph nodes in your armpit.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, which develops in the top layer of the skin (epidermis). They usually grow slowly, and they rarely spread to other parts of the body.

A surgical drain is a small soft plastic tube placed into the wound during surgery. One (or two) tubes are used in order to remove any lymph fluid that collects after surgery.

The aim of a groin dissection is to remove the lymph nodes. This is undertaken when the cancer cells have travelled from the original skin cancer site and settled in the lymph nodes in your groin.

There are different types of Neck Dissections. Your Consultant will discuss with you the details of the operation you are having.

Malignant melanoma is a form of skin cancer which can start in a pre-existing mole or normal looking skin.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare form of skin cancer which starts in the Merkel cells, which are usually in the top layer of the skin (the epidermis).

A lymph node is part of the lymphatic system of the body. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that carry clear fluid (called ‘lymph’) around the body.

A skin graft is the transfer of healthy skin from one part of the body to cover a defect on another part of the body, which may have been created through trauma or through the surgical removal of a skin lesion.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a type of cancer that usually starts in the skin where the cells multiply and alter the skins appearance.