Gippsland Melanoma and Skin Cancer Clinic is a dedicated specialist skin cancer service run from Fitzpatrick House 134 Guthridge Parade Sale and also at Bairnsdale and 8 Pearson St Bairnsdale by Dr Adrian Aitken MBBS PhD FRACS for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of all skin cancers including melanomas, squamous cell cancers and basal cell skin cancers.

In many situations simple biopsy or removal of skin cancers can be undertaken by a general practitioner but many skin cancers especially those of the head and neck require specialist surgical skills to ensure the best cosmetic and clinical outcome.

These advanced specialist skills involve the careful choosing of scar placement, skin flap surgery to avoid the use of skin grafts and in-hospital surgery for the treatment of more advanced and serious skin cancers.

The service provided by Mr Aitken through Gippsland Melanoma and Skin Cancer Clinic at Fitzpatrick House and also is Bairnsdale for East Gippsland is a comprehensive service including initial skin surveillance, detection of abnormal skin lesions and their surgical removal or excision with further treatment if required including appropriate follow-up.

Most skin lesions or cancers in their early stages can be easily treated under local anaesthetic requiring a simple excision in a cosmetically sensitive manner. More advanced lesions may require in-hospital care for general anaesthesia. For the most serious advanced skin cancers such as advanced melanomas close links are in place with institutions such as Peter MacCallum, now known as the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre in Melbourne for complex multi-disciplinary surgery and oncology services.