Dr. Dirk Lazarus
Plastic Surgeon

Tel: 021 424 1112
Fax: 021 424 1118

86 New Church St
Tamboerskloof
Cape Town, 8001
South Africa

The rodent ulcer or basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer occurring in about 75% of cases. This usually presents as a non healing nodule or ulcer which can be felt and which may have tiny red blood vessels around its outside. Treatments include cytotoxic creams such as effudix, freezing with liquid nitrogen, curettage and surgery. Once removed, the outcome is good and these are very rarely fatal.

Squamous cell carcinoma is similar to basal cell carcinoma and occurs in 15% of cases. SCC may arise in chronic wounds or old scars such as burn wound scars. The treatment is as for BCC - usually surgery.

Malignant melanoma is the dangerous type of skin cancer, but fortunately only makes up about 5% of skin cancers. Malignant melanoma may present in a variety of different ways, most commonly as a pigmented lesion which has suspicious features. These suspicious features include:

A ~ Asymmetry
B ~ Border irregularity
C ~ Colour variegation (a variety of colours in the same lesion)
D ~ Diameter > 5mm

Presence of these suspicious features or recent change over a period of months warrant a medical opinion. In addition, any lesion which exhibits symptoms such as pain or bleeding should be seen by your doctor.