Lesions

This condition is treated in the Plastics clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

Refer to clinic:

• Melanoma, confirmed or suspected
• Other skin cancers, confirmed or suspected (biopsy first)
• Other malignancies (head/neck/oral/salivary glands/connective tissue)
• Benign skin lesions (naevi/congenital naevi) where there is concern
• Subcutaneous and deep tissue tumours

All referrals should comply to the referral standards and include in particular:

• Include details of site and size of lesion, symptoms.

Refer suspected Melanoma without delay.

Tests

• Do not perform punch biopsy if melanoma is suspected
• Include pathology report and other investigations if available
• CT scan and other imaging as appropriate
• USS of lesion as appropriate

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Plastics clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

🚩 Patients requiring immediate surgical intervention should be referred to the Emergency Department or discussed with the Plastics Registrar

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Urgent (Category 1)

🚩 Suspected melanoma (please phone the registrar and speak to them)

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Plastics Registrar to organise urgent assessment and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

Refer to General Surgery

South

Liverpool Clinics (Level 7)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9941