Skin cancer case challenge: What would you cut?

We invite you to take part in this case challenge moderated by A/Prof Tony Dicker. Consider the real-life scenario below, then submit your surgical management plan — including your closure drawing — for a chance to be featured and win a free seat at the 2025 Surgery Masterclass in Brisbane.

Your task

Answer the 3 questions below.

Email your name, answers, and drawing to marketing@healthcert.com by Monday 30 June 2025.

Submissions will be published on this blog and discussed at the 2025 Surgery Masterclass.

The winner of the free Masterclass seat (or refund) will be announced 1 July.

The case

The patient:

• A 56-year-old female.
• History of previous BCCs on her cheek and forehead.
• No problems encountered during previous surgery on the face.
• Well, no medications, no blood thinning herbs or vitamins.

The patient presents with this lesion on the ala:

The diagnosis:

This exercise is about management rather than diagnosis. Assume the lesion is a nodular BCC (or, if you prefer to biopsy the lesion, then assume the pathology report shows nodular BCC).

The management plan:

In describing your approach for managing this BCC on the ala, please answer the following three questions.

Question 1: Is there any other information or images that you wish to capture that would be significant for this patient's care?

Question 2: Are there any non-surgical managements you might consider suitable for this lesion, and would you consider any of these options to be a better treatment than surgery?

Question 3: Assume the patient has agreed to a surgical management of this lesion. What is you preferred type of closure for this lesion?

Please save/download the below image and draw your answer.

Thank you for participating in this challenge!

The Surgery Masterclass

Eligible submissions will go in the draw to receive a complimentary place at the Surgery Masterclass (upcoming on 15-16 August 2025 in Brisbane), led by A/Prof Tony Dicker and Dr Tony Azzi. (If you have already registered, we will refund your full fee!) Click here to learn more about the Masterclass.