Medical
Diagnosis & Treatment
BCCs (Basal Cell Carcinoma) are the most common form of skin cancer and the most common eyelid cancer in Australia. They account for 70% of all non-melanoma skin cancers. They can appear anywhere on the body, but most commonly occur on parts that receive high sun exposure. They are usually slow growing and do not spread to other parts of the body.
BCCs cause destruction of local tissue as they enlarge. Around the eyes, BCCs most often appear as a lump or a recurrent skin ulcer which does not heal. They can result in ingrowing lashes or blockages of glands around the eye.
Dr Stelmach removes BCCs in the operating theatre, usually as a day procedure under local anaesthetic with intravenous sedation ("twilight" anaesthetic, not a general anaesthetic). A pathologist confirms that the cancer has been completely removed before the reconstruction commences.
For BCCs close to the eye, surgery involves removing the full thickness of the whole eyelid then reconstructing each layer with microsurgery. This has been performed in the two cases shown.
For more information please visit: www.cancer.org.au
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