Skin and soft tissue pathology – benign and malignant
Emergency referrals
All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call Surgical Registrar to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment. Contact through:
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (07) 3646 8111
- The Prince Charles Hospital (07) 3139 4000
- Redcliffe Hospital (07) 3883 7777
Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Central Patient Intake Unit: 1300 364 952.
Does your patient wish to be referred?
Minimum referral criteria
Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days is desirable
- Skin lesion highly suspicious for melanoma or excision biopsy proven melanoma – including re-excision
- Large SCC, BCC
- Rapidly growing skin lesions especially on the face
- Non-melanoma skin malignancies and any of the following:
- ulceration and bleeding
- rapidly enlarging
- neurological involvement
- lymphadenopathy
- Poorly differentiated or infiltrative tumour on biopsy
- Soft tissue tumour with atypical features
- Ingrown toenail with infection
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- Small truncal or peripheral limb BCC or SCC or IEC
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Benign soft tissue lesions e.g. lipoma ganglion not suitable for primary health management
If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria
Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.
If you still need to refer your patient:
- Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
- Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service
Other important information for referring practitioners
Not an exhaustive list
- Skin lesion highly suspicious for melanoma or excision biopsy proven melanoma – including re-excision
- Large SCC, BCC
- Rapidly growing skin lesions especially on the face
- Non-melanoma skin malignancies and any of the following:
- ulceration and bleeding
- rapidly enlarging
- neurological involvement
- lymphadenopathy
- Poorly differentiated or infiltrative tumour on biopsy
- Soft tissue tumour with atypical features
- Ingrown toenail with infection
- Advise patient regarding sun avoidance and use of sun screens
- Educate patient on skin cancer surveillance and arrange annual skin checks
OASIS
- Assess sphincter function and integrity and endoanal USS results
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
Send referral
Hotline: 1300 364 938
Fax: 1300 364 952
Electronic: eReferral system
Mail: Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776 Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034
Health pathways
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healthpathways
Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.