What are risks of a non-melanoma skin cancer excision?

Depends on site: Excision necessitates removal of the lesion and a rim of health tissue, therefore the complications depend on the site and size of the lesion to be excised. Since a large number of skin cancers occur on the face or nearby, cosmetic issues are a concern.

Depends on location: Surgical removal of skin cancers is effective and the risks are associated with the size and location. Bleeding, infection and poor cosmetic outcome are all risks. Delayed healing in areas of poor blood flow is also a risk. Other treatments such as radiation can be successful as well with similar results and better cosmetic outcomes.

Risks include:: 1) 100% risk of scar; 2) risk of tumor recurrence; 3) risk of bleeding/hematoma formation; 4) risk of infection; 5) risk of dehiscence (wound opens up after being sutured). Make sure if your cancer is in a cosmetically sensitive area you have it treated by a mohs micrographic surgeon (www.Mohscollege.Org). Mohs surgery provides the highest cure and lowest recurrence.