A pragmatic approach to facial closure in frail patients

This episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts explores a common but challenging scenario in skin cancer practice: managing a large, bleeding facial lesion in an elderly patient where comfort and control matter more than long-term cure.

A/Prof Tony Dicker uses a real case to walk through clinical reasoning around diagnosis, margins and treatment options, before focusing on practical closure planning for a sizeable cheek defect.

The discussion highlights how patient context, tumour behaviour and functional risk all shape surgical decisions, and why there is rarely a single “right” answer.

A useful listen for clinicians looking to sharpen their approach to complex closures, particularly when balancing technical execution with realistic, patient-centred outcomes.

Note: This episode includes discussion of multiple clinical images. A video version is available for those who wish to view them.

 

Next steps in your learning journey

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Life by a Thousand Cuts 

This podcast series is designed to help you enhance your clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and confidence in skin cancer management. Focus on real-world cases, surgical techniques and tips, journal article reviews, diagnostic and management insights, and guest interviews with GPs and specialists.