Skin · Malignant
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Length of Surgery
30–90 minutes
Anaesthetic
Local anaesthetic
Hospital Stay
Day case
Time off Work
1–2 weeks
Time off Exercise
2–4 weeks
Post-operative Care
Wound care as directed, sun protection, skin surveillance follow-up
Benefits
Complete cancer excisionHistologically confirmed clear marginsOptimal cosmetic reconstructionMultidisciplinary team oversightSurveillance programmeExpert scar management
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, arising from the basal cells of the epidermis and closely associated with cumulative sun exposure. Although it grows slowly and rarely spreads, it can cause significant local destruction if left untreated — particularly on the face.
Surgical excision with clear histological margins remains the gold standard treatment. Mr Thacoor excises the BCC with an appropriate margin and plans the closure — direct, a local flap, or skin graft — to achieve the best possible cosmetic outcome.
What to expect
- Performed under local anaesthetic as a day case in most cases
- Excision margins depend on BCC subtype and location
- All specimens sent for formal histological analysis
- For BCCs on certain facial sites, referral for Mohs surgery may be recommended
After treatment
Following successful treatment, regular skin surveillance is recommended, as patients who have had one BCC are at increased risk of developing further skin cancers.