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Precise skin cancer treatment available at Hunters Hill Private Hospital

A well-regarded technique to treat common skin cancers is now on offer at Hunters Hill Private Hospital.

Mohs micrographic surgery (Mohs surgery) is considered effective for removing Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma, which are the two most frequently occurring skin cancers.

Hunters Hill Private Hospital dermatologist Dr Tai Phan said: “Mohs surgery is ideal for removing skin cancers which are in cosmetically sensitive locations – such as the face and neck – where you don’t want to leave major scarring.”

The procedure involves removing the cancer and taking away microscopic layers of the patient’s skin around the growth.

Skin samples are then examined immediately, while the patient waits, to determine if the cancer has been completely removed.

“Often more aggressive cancers are a lot larger than they appear on the surface, so this procedure is much more accurate in ensuring the cancer is fully removed on the same day,” Dr Phan said.

During standard removal excisions, surgeons usually remove an additional 3-4 millimetres of skin around the cancer to help ensure it doesn’t return.

Dr Phan is able to reduce that to just 2-3 millimetres using Mohs surgery, which helps to decrease scarring while maintaining high cure rates.

“With Mohs, we can achieve a very high cure rate. I can examine all the cancer margins through a microscope so I’m confident when the cancer is completely removed,” Dr Phan said.

The experienced surgeon has completed more than 3000 of the procedures since he was trained in the surgery during a fellowship in Canada in 2015.

He decided to bring the procedure to Hunters Hill Private Hospital in March, to offer residents on the North Shore better access to skin cancer treatment.

“So far we’ve done 32 procedures. It has been a really exciting process, to establish a laboratory here and start offering the surgery,” Dr Phan said.

Approximately two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70.

For further information please phone Hunters Hill Private Hospital on 02 8876 9300 or visit huntershillprivate.com.au.