Usually a biopsy is sufficient to determine the stage of a non-melanoma skin cancer.  In cases of squamous cell carcinoma, lymph nodes may be examined to see if the cancer has spread. The staging system used is the TNM system, which describes the stage of the cancer from stage I to stage IV.

Sometimes, all the cancer is removed with the biopsy and in this case it will be the only treatment received.

Surgery is the most common treatment. Non-melanoma skin cancers are almost always removed (usually under a local anaesthetic). In more advanced skin cancers, some of the surrounding tissue may also be removed to make sure that all of the cancerous cells have been taken.

Most non-melanoma cancer can be treated with chemotherapy that is applied to the skin as an ointment or cream. This type of treatment is for skin cancers that affect the top layer of skin.  

e suite of skin cancer services under one roof.

Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) is generally used to treat skin cancers in areas near the eyes or on the nose or forehead, which are difficult to treat with surgery. This treatment uses x-rays to kill cancer cells.