Skin Cancer Patient Information

The Skin Cancer Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)

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

Axillary Dissection

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

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.

Going Home with a Drain

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.

Groin Dissection

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.

Neck Dissection

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

Melanoma

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

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

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).

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

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.

Skin Examination and Sun Protection Advice

For most people, being in the sunshine is pleasurable but there are consequences, especially if you are fair skinned. Sunscreen does not offer total protection from sunrays and using it is only one way to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

Skin Graft and Donor Site

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

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

 

Skin Cancer Patient Information