Skin Cancer Removal Glasgow
Melanoma
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Melanoma is a potentially very serious skin cancer, but it is thankfully much less common, accounting for about 5% of new skin cancer diagnoses. It can occur anywhere on the body, but is more common in sun-exposed areas. An early melanoma usually appears as an odd-looking freckle or mole, and may itch or bleed. If removed in the early stages, melanoma is rarely life-threatening, meaning it is important to have any suspicious moles on your skin reviewed as soon as possible, especially any lesion that changes in size, shape or colour, or looks very different to your other moles.
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Melanoma is diagnosed with an excision biopsy (mole removal), usually then followed by a second operation to remove a bit more skin from around the scar. For early-stage melanomas, this is usually all that is required. For more advanced melanomas, you may benefit from a biopsy of your lymph nodes, and possibly a body scan to exclude any spread (metastasis). If metastatic spread is found, then systemic treatment with an oncologist may be recommended.
Why consider private skin cancer treatment?
NHS services provide good care for melanoma, and waiting times for treatment is not usually too long. However, many patients opt for private treatment as a fast-tracked alternative, ensuring quicker diagnosis and expert surgical care. At Glasgow Skin Specialists, we offer specialist-led skin cancer surgery, allowing patients to receive timely, high-quality treatment without compromising on safety or precision.
Melanoma Treatment
What to expect:
1 / Consultation
When you attend for your consultation, you will be seen by a specialist dermatologist or plastic surgeon, who will take a short medical history from you and some photographs of the lesion for your medical records. They will discuss with you your options for treatment, which will likely be removal of the skin cancer under local anaesthetic. Following this discussion, if you choose to proceed, you will be offered a further appointment to return for your operation.
2 / Surgical Procedure
The melanoma removal operation is carried out under local anaesthetic. These are skin-numbing injections, similar to that used at a dentist. Once the skin is numbed, the tumour is narrowly removed, and sent for histological examination. In most cases, the skin edges can then be brought together with stitches, leaving you with a straight scar.
3 / Histology and Results
All excised specimens are sent to a specialist pathology service, with histology results typically returned within seven working days. Histology costs are included within the treatment price, ensuring a transparent and comprehensive service.
If melanoma is confirmed, you will usually be recommended further treatment.
4 / Postoperative Care
Following your surgery, you will be given some aftercare information and offered a follow-up appointment free of charge, to ensure your wounds have healed satisfactorily and to take some post-operative photographs.
Depending on the stage of your melanoma, further treatment will be discussed with you. Early stage melanoma can be managed surgically under local anaesthetic, and followed-up every three months for a year. This can be offered by Glasgow Skin Specialists, or referred in to the NHS.
Later stage melanoma often requires surgery under general anaesthetic, and this is something that Glasgow Skin Specialists is not able to offer. Your care would therefore be referred in to the NHS.