Skin Cancer & Melanoma Surgery Specialist Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery in Cape Town

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer globally and South Africa, with its high UV exposure, has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer in the world. Early detection and expert surgical care are critical not just for health and survival, but also for preserving appearance and function, especially when cancers occur on visible areas such as the face, ears, neck, or hands. At the practice of Dr. Ernst Möller, a board-certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon based in Cape Town, we offer advanced Skin Cancer and Melanoma Surgery with a dual focus: complete and safe removal of cancerous tissue, and precise reconstructive techniques to restore both form and function. Whether you are undergoing skin cancer surgery for the first time, require revision surgery, or need reconstruction after excision by a dermatologist or oncologist, Dr. Möller offers expert, individualised care using the latest surgical techniques.

Understanding Skin Cancer

Skin cancer arises when abnormal skin cells grow uncontrollably, usually as a result of cumulative exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. 

The most common types of skin cancer include:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The most common and least aggressive form of skin cancer. BCC rarely spreads but can cause local tissue damage if left untreated.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): More aggressive than BCC and has the potential to spread if not treated early.
• Melanoma: The most serious and potentially life-threatening form of skin cancer. It can spread rapidly to other parts of the body, but when detected early, it is highly treatable.

Who Is at Risk?

While skin cancer can affect anyone, some factors significantly increase your risk:

• Fair skin that burns easily
• A history of excessive sun exposure or sunburns
• Use of tanning beds
• Family or personal history of skin cancer
• Presence of many moles or atypical moles
• Compromised immune system

Regular self-examinations and professional skin checks are essential for early detection. Suspicious lesions or changes in existing moles should never be ignored.

Diagnosis and Referral

Many patients are referred to Dr. Möller by dermatologists or general practitioners after a biopsy confirms a skin cancer diagnosis. In some cases, the lesion may already have been removed, but further excision or reconstruction is required to ensure clear margins or optimal aesthetic outcomes. Dr. Möller also welcomes patients seeking a second opinion or those who require complex excisions and reconstruction in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas such as the nose, eyelids, lips, scalp, or hands.

Surgical Treatment Options

Dr. Möller takes a meticulous and conservative approach to skin cancer surgery, aiming to remove the cancerous tissue completely while minimising scarring and maintaining function.

1. Wide Local Excision (WLE):

This is the most common procedure for removing skin cancers. The lesion is removed along with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure all cancer cells are eliminated.

2. Reconstructive Surgery:

After excision, Dr. Möller may reconstruct the area using advanced plastic surgery techniques. These can include:

• Local Flaps: Nearby skin is repositioned to cover the defect.
• Skin Grafts: Skin is taken from another part of the body and transplanted to the affected area.
• Complex Reconstruction: In cases involving larger or more complicated defects, multiple stages may be needed.

Each technique is tailored to the patient, with special care taken to match colour, texture, and contour, especially on the face.

3. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB):

In cases of melanoma, Dr. Möller may work in conjunction with an oncology team to perform SLNB to assess whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.