Procedures

Skin Cancer Removal

Skin Cancer Removal

When you are given a skin cancer diagnosis, it can be frightening news indeed. The first objective in treating the disease is to eradicate it completely whenever possible. Surgery is usually the right course of action to remove both the cancerous mass and often even some of the healthy tissue surrounding the mass to ensure all of the cancer cells are eliminated.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of skin cancer across the globe. Because skin cancer typically occurs on exposed, visible areas of skin, removing the tumour with the best possible cosmetic results is imperative to most patients. An experienced plastic surgeon like Dr Teston is your best choice for this procedure, since these physicians are specially trained to take aesthetics into consideration when performing any medical or cosmetic procedure.

Before Your Surgery

There are three basic types of skin cancer:

  • Basal Cell Carcinoma – This is the most common type of skin cancer and also the easiest to treat. While basal cell carcinoma grows slowly and does not tend to spread, tumours can grow large if left unchecked for an extended period. The larger the tumour, the more difficult it is to remove without leaving significant scarring behind.
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma – This cancer affects about twenty percent of all Australians diagnosed with the disease, according to the Australasian Foundation for Plastic Surgery. Squamous cell carcinoma can spread and may become deadly if it is left unchecked for too long. Fortunately, early treatment usually produces an excellent prognosis.
  • Malignant Melanoma – While this type of cancer only occurs in about five percent of skin cancer patients, it is the most dangerous by far. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to a positive prognosis in the case of melanoma. All Australians, particularly those at higher risk of skin cancer, should be checking their skin regularly for new formations of moles or changes to current marks.

Once you know what type of cancer you are dealing with, you can begin discussing treatment options with your physician. As surgical removal is usually necessary, Dr Teston can work with your doctor to ensure your cancer treatment is both effective and cosmetically satisfying.

During Your Procedure

The size and type of the malignancy to be removed will dictate in large part how your surgery will go. Small tumours may be eradicated during day surgery right in the surgeon’s office, often using local anaesthesia. Larger masses may be removed in an accredited hospital using general anaesthesia, and may or may not involve an overnight stay. During any skin cancer removal procedure, Dr Teston will do her best to minimise visible scarring by placing the incisions in less conspicuous locations when possible and using small, meticulous sutures to close the incision after your procedure.

After Your Surgery

Patients can return to their regular activities immediately following their procedure if the cancer removal was minor. More extensive surgeries may require a day or more of recovery time to give the incision ample time to heal properly. You will also be given instructions on how to care for your incision to promote healing and minimise scarring as much as possible. Dr Teston will see you back in her office within about seven days to remove sutures and evaluate the progress of the scar and result.

Skin cancer is an alarming diagnosis and unfortunately, a common one for Australians. The good news is that skin cancer removal can yield excellent cosmetic results and a positive prognosis in many cases. To learn more, contact Dr Teston’s office on (02) 9708 3511.

*The information about Skin Cancer Removal was reviewed by Dr. Leana Teston. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.

Procedures Offered


With more than two decades of experience in plastic surgery, Dr Teston is qualified to provide a broad range of plastic surgery procedures. Some of the choices available to her patients include:

Breast Enhancement

No matter what cosmetic goals you might have for your breasts, Dr Teston can help you achieve them. One of her specialties is correcting asymmetries between the breasts that cause a woman to feel self-conscious about her body. Other breast procedures offered by Dr Teston include:

Facial Improvements

Whether you are concerned about the effects of ageing or looking to correct an imperfection that has been nagging you throughout your adult life, Dr Teston offers procedures to enhance and refresh your appearance. She can customise any of the following to your specifications and facial proportions:

  • Facelift to smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles
  • Eyelid surgery to correct drooping and rejuvenate the area around the eyes
  • Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping to create symmetry, remove imperfections, or restore the nose after injury
  • Otoplasty (or ear surgery) to correct ears that stick out or are disproportionately large
Body Contouring

Body contouring is an effective way to put the final touches on your body shape when you can’t get there with diet and exercise alone. Body contouring is usually recommended for patients that have achieved a healthy, stable weight and may include the following:

  • Abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck) to tighten and flatten the midsection
  • Lift procedures to shape and firm the upper arms and thighs
  • Liposuction to remove isolated, stubborn areas of fat from nearly anywhere on the body
  • Labiaplasty to correct discomfort due to either developmental or hormonal enlargements or scarring
Skin Treatments

As the largest organ of the body, the skin deserves special attention. When you want to get rid of unsightly moles, fatty lumps, or other concerns, Dr Teston is prepared to eliminate the blemish and leave the best cosmetic results behind. Some of the concerns Dr Teston can treat include:

Hand Restoration

Your hands are one of the most functional and visible parts of the body, and when they are injured or affected by a debilitating condition, the effects on your life can be dramatic. Dr Teston offers hand surgery to treat many of these concerns, with the following being some of the hand conditions she treats:

When you are in search of a plastic surgeon in Sydney, Dr Teston offers a valuable female perspective, extensive training and experience, and a commitment to the highest level of patient care. To learn more about our practice, contact our office today at (02) 9708 3511.