Skin Cancer Treatments Brisbane

Comprehensive, Personalised Skin Cancer Treatment and Management in Brisbane

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia—and when detected early, it’s highly treatable. At Dr Scott Horsburgh’s clinic, we provide thorough skin cancer assessments and offer a full range of surgical and non-surgical treatment options to safely remove cancerous lesions.

Our approach is grounded in evidence-based medicine, years of experience in general practice and skin cancer surgery, and a commitment to natural, confident outcomes for every patient.

Skin cancer removal and management requires more than simply removing a lesion. It begins with accurate diagnosis, careful treatment planning, and follow-up to make sure the condition is fully resolved.

At Dr Horsburgh’s East Brisbane clinic, patients can expect continuity of care from the first check through to treatment and aftercare. Whether the concern is a minor basal cell carcinoma or a high-risk melanoma, every case is approached with the same level of thoroughness.

Types of Skin Cancer We Treat

We treat a wide range of skin cancers, including:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) – The most common and least aggressive type
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) – More invasive, often related to sun exposure
• Melanoma – A potentially life-threatening form of skin cancer that requires urgent treatment

Each type of skin cancer behaves differently. That’s why accurate diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan are critical.

Basal cell carcinomas are usually slow-growing and often appear on the head, neck, and upper body. Although they rarely spread to other organs, they can cause significant local damage if untreated.

Squamous cell carcinomas are more aggressive, with a higher chance of spreading into deeper tissues or lymph nodes, especially if neglected. Melanomas are the most dangerous form of skin cancer, capable of spreading quickly, sometimes before they are very large.

Early detection is essential, but just as important is selecting the right treatment for the right type of cancer. Every lesion is assessed individually, taking into account its size, depth, location, and pathology. This ensures that treatment not only addresses the cancer itself but also supports good long-term outcomes.

If you’ve noticed a suspicious spot, lesion, or changing mole—or have already received a diagnosis and are seeking treatment—book an appointment with Dr Scott Horsburgh.

Surgical Removal

For most skin cancers, surgical excision remains the gold standard of treatment. This involves:

• Removing the lesion with an appropriate margin of healthy tissue
• Sending the specimen for pathology to confirm complete excision
• Providing post-surgical wound care and follow-up

Where appropriate, closures are performed with a focus on aesthetic outcomes, particularly on the face or visible areas.

Surgical excision is considered the most reliable method of treating skin cancers because it physically removes both the lesion and a margin of surrounding tissue, which helps to reduce the chance of recurrence.

The size of the margin depends on the type of cancer and its behaviour. For instance, melanomas generally require a wider margin compared to basal cell carcinomas.

At Dr Horsburgh’s Brisbane clinic, procedures are performed under local anaesthetic in a sterile environment.

Many excisions are day procedures, meaning patients go home shortly afterwards. Pathology testing is then a crucial step in confirming that the cancer has been fully removed and identifying whether further treatment is needed.

Reconstruction and wound closure are carefully planned. For smaller lesions, simple suturing may be enough. For larger or facial lesions, techniques such as layered closure or flap repairs may be used to help preserve both function and appearance.

Non-Surgical Skin Cancer Treatment

In certain cases, non-surgical skin cancer treatment approaches may be suitable. These can include:

• Topical treatments** (for superficial cancers)
• Cryotherapy** (freezing)
• Curettage and cautery**
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) – where appropriate

Non-surgical skin cancer treatments can assist in managing selected skin cancers, particularly when the lesions are very shallow or when surgery would be difficult.

• Topical creams work by stimulating the immune system to target abnormal cells.
• Cryotherapy involves freezing with liquid nitrogen, which destroys the lesion tissue.
• Curettage and cautery use scraping and heat to remove and seal the affected area.
• Photodynamic therapy combines a light-sensitive cream with a special light source to target cancer cells.

These treatments are not suitable for every type of cancer. They are generally reserved for small, superficial basal cell carcinomas or other early lesions.

Before recommending them, Dr Horsburgh carefully assesses whether they are appropriate, as surgery remains the main approach for many cases.