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A skin cancer diagnosis — or even the discovery of a suspicious mole — can be an incredibly anxious experience. Waiting months to see a specialist only adds to that stress. At the Toronto Minor Surgery Center (TMSC), we provide rapid access to comprehensive skin cancer screening, biopsy, and surgical removal.
As a premier skin cancer clinic in Toronto, our team of board-certified plastic surgeons specializes in the precise excision of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), and Melanoma. We prioritize patients with suspicious lesions, ensuring you receive expert care, clear margins, and optimal cosmetic reconstruction without the long wait times.
One of the most important things to understand about skin cancer symptoms is that they are often subtle, especially in the early stages. Many patients visit our Toronto skin cancer clinic after noticing a small change on their skin that they initially dismissed as a pimple, a scar, or a harmless mole. Knowing what to look for — and acting on it early — is what makes the difference between a straightforward excision and a complex surgery.
Skin cancer does not always look alarming. The following are the most frequently reported symptoms across all three types:
The ABCDE rule is a widely used guide for identifying moles that may be developing into melanoma. Check your moles regularly and consult a physician if any of the following apply:
Different types of skin cancer present differently, and knowing the distinctions can help you identify what you may be dealing with:
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) most commonly appears as a pearly, translucent, or skin-colored bump with tiny blood vessels visible on the surface. It may also look like a flat, pale, scar-like lesion, or a pink patch with a slightly raised, rolled border. On the back and chest, it often presents as a flat, reddish, scaly area.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) typically presents as a firm, red nodule or a rough, scaly, flat lesion that may crust or bleed. It can also develop as a wart-like growth, or as a new sore or raised area on top of an existing scar or chronic wound.
Melanoma can appear as a new dark spot on the skin, or as a change in an existing mole. It may be flat or raised, and can occur anywhere on the body — including areas that are rarely exposed to the sun, such as the soles of the feet, under the nails, or on the palms of the hands.
You should book a consultation at our Toronto skin cancer clinic if:
You do not need a referral. Contact our clinic directly to book a consultation. The sooner a suspicious lesion is evaluated, the simpler and more effective the treatment.
Skin cancer begins when the DNA inside skin cells is damaged, causing those cells to multiply uncontrollably and form a tumor. In the vast majority of cases, that DNA damage is caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation — but it is not the only factor. Understanding the causes of skin cancer can help you assess your own risk and take meaningful steps to protect yourself.
UV radiation is the single biggest driver of skin cancer in Canada. Every time your skin is exposed to UV rays — whether from direct sunlight, reflected light off snow or water, or an artificial tanning bed — it causes microscopic damage to the DNA in your skin cells. Your body has natural repair mechanisms to fix this damage, but decades of cumulative exposure eventually overwhelm those defenses. The result is the kind of uncontrolled cell growth that leads to Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma.
It is important to understand that UV damage is cumulative and irreversible. The sunburns you had as a child, the summers spent without sunscreen, the tanning bed sessions in your twenties — all of that exposure adds up over your lifetime. This is why skin cancer rates increase with age, and why sun protection at every stage of life matters.
Tanning beds emit concentrated UV radiation at levels that can be significantly higher than natural sunlight. Using a tanning bed even once before the age of 35 increases your risk of developing melanoma by 59%. Despite this, tanning beds remain widely used and are a growing contributor to skin cancer diagnoses in younger adults.
While UV radiation is the primary cause, the following factors can significantly increase your personal risk of developing skin cancer:
Toronto's climate does not eliminate your skin cancer risk. UV radiation is present year-round, including on overcast days and during winter months when UV reflects off snow. Many Torontonians are surprised to learn that they can sustain UV damage in February. Wearing broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily — regardless of the season — is one of the most effective preventive measures you can take.
If you have one or more of the risk factors above, or if you have noticed a new or changing lesion on your skin, we encourage you to book a consultation at our Toronto skin cancer clinic. Early detection is the most powerful tool we have. No referral is needed.
Skin cancer occurs when abnormal skin cells grow out of control, primarily due to cumulative ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. At TMSC, we diagnose and treat the three primary forms of skin cancer:
Basal cell carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed skin cancer in Canada. It typically develops on sun-exposed areas like the head and neck. While BCC grows slowly and very rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it can be highly destructive to surrounding tissue and bone if left untreated. It often appears as a pearly bump, a pink patch, or a sore that bleeds, heals, and then bleeds again.
Read more about Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment →
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. It is more aggressive than BCC and has a higher potential to spread (metastasize) to lymph nodes or other organs if not treated promptly. SCC often presents as a firm, red nodule, a scaly, crusted flat lesion, or a new growth on an existing scar.
Read more about Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment →
Melanoma is the most dangerous and aggressive type of skin cancer. It develops in the melanocytes (the cells that give skin its color) and can spread rapidly to other organs. Early detection is absolutely critical. Melanomas often resemble moles or develop from existing moles. We strongly advise patients to monitor their skin using the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, uneven Color, Diameter larger than 6mm, and Evolving appearance.
Read more about Melanoma Treatment →
1. Comprehensive Skin Cancer Screening & BiopsyDuring your initial consultation, our surgeons will conduct a thorough examination of the suspicious lesion. If the clinical appearance suggests skin cancer, we will perform a biopsy — removing a small sample of the tissue, which is sent to a specialized pathology laboratory for a definitive diagnosis.
2. Surgical ExcisionIf the biopsy confirms skin cancer, surgical excision is the gold standard for treatment. Under local anesthesia, your surgeon will carefully cut out the cancerous tumor along with a predetermined "safety margin" of healthy-looking skin. This margin is crucial to ensure that no microscopic cancer cells remain. The excised tissue is sent back to pathology to verify that the margins are completely clear.
Do I need a referral for a skin cancer screening in Toronto?
No. At TMSC, you can book a consultation directly with our clinic without a referral from a family physician. If you have already had a biopsy performed elsewhere, please bring the pathology report to your appointment.
Is skin cancer surgery covered by OHIP?
Yes. The surgical removal of diagnosed skin cancers (BCC, SCC, and Melanoma), the associated pathology testing, and the necessary reconstructive surgery are fully covered by OHIP.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
We prioritize patients who have highly suspicious lesions or a confirmed skin cancer diagnosis. We strive to schedule your initial consultation within days of your inquiry.
Will the surgery leave a large scar?
Any surgical procedure will leave a scar, and the size depends on the extent of the cancer. However, our plastic surgeons utilize advanced reconstructive techniques specifically designed to minimize scarring and hide incisions within the natural folds of your skin.
Is the procedure performed in a hospital?
No. All of our skin cancer screenings, biopsies, and surgical excisions are performed in our fully equipped, state-of-the-art private clinics in Toronto, Oakville, Vaughan, and Mississauga. This allows you to avoid the hospital environment and return home the same day.
