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At Riverina Skin Specialists the dermatologists have specialist training in the early detection and management of skin cancer. Skin cancer screening usually involves the dermatologist taking a thorough history to identify any lesions of concern and to establish the individual cancer risk of the patient. A thorough skin examination will then be performed with the aid of a dermascope.
What happens during a skin check?
You will be asked to undress down to your underwear. Your doctor will use good lighting and a magnifier to examine you from head to toe. A dermatoscope may be used to touch your skin which will more carefully assess an individual spot. Sometimes a photograph may be taken for monitoring.
What happens if the doctor finds anything which could be skin cancer?
You will be advised if any moles or spots need testing at the time of your skin check. A biopsy will sample an area, or an excision is a procedure that removes the entire lesion. These are both done under local anesthetic whilst you are awake and in the clinic. There is no need to be hospitalised for this. The lesion is sent to a pathologist who is a specialist doctor that will analyse the spot to provide a further diagnosis.
What happens if skin cancer is found?
If skin cancer is identified early, it can be easily and successfully treated. Most cancers are treated with surgery but there are non-surgical treatments including creams, light therapy, laser and radiotherapy.
What happens after the skin check?
You will be advised and educated on how to self-examine seasonally, that is every three months. Prevention will be discussed including sun protection, sun safe behaviors, topical Vitamin A, oral Vitamin B3 and depending on your level of risk, your doctor may recommend a three, six or 12 month follow up.
For some types of early skin cancer your dermatologist may recommend non-surgical treatment. The main advantage of non-surgical treatments is they often offer a better cosmetic outcome and avoid the pain and discomfort of surgery.
There are a number of different non-surgical treatments for skin cancer and sun damage, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Your Dermatologist will discuss these options in more detail at the time of your consultation.
Some skin cancers, such as melanomas and thicker SCCs can not be treated non-surgically.
CRYOTHERAPY
Cryotherapy involves freezing the skin using a cold substance such as liquid nitrogen. This treatment is generally reserved for non-cancerous lesions such as solar keratosis and warts.
In some situations very early skin cancers may be treated with cryotherapy however this treatment should only be performed by experienced practitioners.
IMIQUIMOD (ALDARA)
Aldara is a cream that is designed to stimulate the body’s own immune system in the skin to destroy cancer cells. It is usually applied for a 6 week period and induces a brisk inflammatory reaction.
Aldara may be used for superficial BCCs, precancerous lesions and sun spots. It has a high rate of cure and excellent cosmetic results.
INGENOL MEMBUTATE (PICATO)
Picato (ingenol) works by causing the death of certain cells in the body. Picato gel is used to treat actinic keratosis (a condition caused by too much sun exposure).
PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY (PDT)
Photodynamic therapy involves applying a special cream to the tumour and then exposing it to bright light to create a photochemical reaction that selectively destroys cancer cells.
For skin cancer, PDT is usually performed on two occasions separated by one or two weeks. Like aldara, PDT may be used for superficial BCCs, precancerous lesions and sun spots. It also has a high rate of cure and excellent cosmetic results.
LASER
1927 Fraxel can be used for skin resurfacing and in that way ablating solar keratosis over an entire field. After numerous passes with the laser the skin heals with renewed skin layers.
RADIOTHERAPY
Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used instead of surgery for skin cancer in places that are hard to treat or for patients who are too frail for surgery.
Radiotherapy may be used for BCCs and some SCCs. Sometimes radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery to help prevent the skin cancer from coming back.
In carefully selected patients, radiotherapy can be an excellent non-surgical treatment option.
Once a lesion has been diagnosed as a skin cancer, either through clinical examination or by a biopsy, many will require surgical treatment.
There are a number of surgical options for treating skin cancer. Factors that will determine which treatment option is best for you include the type, location and thickness of the skin cancer.
SURGICAL EXCISION
Surgical excision is the most common form of skin cancer surgery.
It involves cutting out the skin cancer with a surrounding margin of normal skin. The wound is the usually sutured together.
In some circumstances the surgical wound will be closed with a flap of skin or a skin graft.
CURETTAGE
Curettage is a surgical procedure where the skin cancer cells are scraped off the skin using a surgical instrument called a curette. The wound is similar to a deep graze and does not require stitches. Curettage is usually performed on thin BCCs and some SCCs.
Ageing, childbirth, illness and medications can have many effects on your body but it’s the hidden problems that are often the most distressing. Around half of women will suffer in silence, unaware of the advances in medical technology that we now have access to in our clinics that make it possible to easily treat conditions such as:
~ Urinary incontinence (light bladder leakage) and urgency
~ Decreased sensation during intercourse
~ Dryness, loss of lubrication and pain during intercourse
~ Vaginal pain and discomfort
~ Vaginal looseness
As some of you may be aware, I have already been offering vaginal rejuvenation in my Albury clinic using
the ‘Lotus Gynolaser’ by Cryomed and in my Griffith clinic using the ‘Fem Touch’ by Lumenis.
GYNO-LASER
With age and after childbirth, women start noticing symptoms related to their pelvic health that affect their lifestyle on different levels. Vaginal atrophy or dryness is a common symptom in postmenopausal women. Stress urinary incontinence is another symptom, as well as vaginal laxity after birth, which can impact satisfaction with sexual intercourse.
We offer innovative state-of-the-art Vaginal Lasers that address these common vaginal related conditions by promoting the remodeling and tightening of the vaginal tissue. A non-surgical, out-patient, non-hormonal treatment for improved vaginal health.
We offer the Femtouch™ at our Griffith Clinic and the Lotus Gynolaser at our Albury Clinic.
A consultation is required by Dr Irene Grigoris prior to treatment. Personalised rejuvenation is available on request.
Price as per consultation*
TESLA-CHAIR
The Tesla Chair was developed for treating weakened pelvic floor muscles and urinary incontinence using the special Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) technology. This therapy is suitable for all kinds of urinary and faecal incontinence. FMS also helps patients with sexual dysfunction and chronic pain in the pelvic region and lumbar spine. It is a suitable treatment for males and females. The magnetic stimulation results in increased strength and endurance of pelvic region and pelvic floor muscles.
Available in Albury Only.
Price as per consultation*
