The Dr Mole Clinic offers removal of both benign and cancerous lesions. Benign, non-cancerous, skin lesions are common and although not harmful, can sometimes be in areas that cause a nuisance or be considered unsightly. These lesions can usually be easily removed under local anaesthetic. The surgeons at our clinic are actively involved in the specialist teams managing skin cancer at University Hospitals Plymouth. We are therefore able to offer a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan for some skin cancers appropriate for treatment outside of the NHS. For all lesions amenable to removal in the clinic, you will have the option to go ahead with surgery following an in depth discussion about the procedure itself and be provided with a full after care service tailored to your individual needs.
MINOR SURGERY PROCEDURES
Mole Removal
Moles, or benign naevi, are harmless pigmented lesions within the skin. They vary in colour but are usually smooth and round in shape. Most moles develop in the first 30 years of life. The specific technique used for removal varies according to the lesion in question and a thorough assessment will be made before a treatment plan is decided. It is recommended that most pigmented lesions are analysed in histology to offer additional reassurance of their benign nature.
Seborrhoeic Keratosis Removal
Seborrhoeic keratoses are benign, usually pigmented lesions which have a stuck on appearance on the skin. They vary in shape and size. Most seborrhoeic keratoses can be positively diagnosed by trained clinicians. These lesions can often be treated with shave excision. In some cases, a more formal excision would be recommended. The lesion can be sent to the laboratory for assessment if considered appropriate.
Skin Tags and Warts
These lesions usually stick up from the skin and can be unsightly or irritating. In most cases they can easily be removed as a shave excision. This involves an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the area and then the lesion is picked up from the skin and a flat shave excision is performed. The bleeding is controlled with cautery to the area and a small dressing is then applied.
Sebaceous Cysts
Sebaceous cysts are sacs beneath the skin that contain a thick yellowy substance. They often have a visible punctum or hole that connects to the surface of the skin. Due to this connection, they can sometimes become infected and required antibiotics. This is a something that can be managed within the NHS. However, most cysts, are relatively non-problematic but can be unsightly or just annoying. Cysts can be removed under local anaesthetic. The aim of treatment would be to completely remove the sac that contains the contents to reduce the chance of recurrence.
Lipoma removal
Lipomas are fatty lumps that are smooth and round in texture and within the fat beneath the skin. They are harmless but can slowly increase in size over time and sometimes be in areas which cause discomfort. They are mostly not visible to others unless large. Lumps that are rapidly growing or very painful sometimes need further assessment with ultrasound which can be arranged through the NHS. Otherwise, most lipomas can be removed under local anaesthetic.
Cryotherapy (freezing)
Cryotherapy is a technique that deep freezes tissues causing a reduction in blood flow and change in water balance of cells which in turn causes cell death. This is an effective treatment for superficial lesions such as warts, areas of sun damage, small skin tags and thin, superficial keratoses.
Skin cancer treatment
Most patients will desire to have any cancer treated as quickly and efficiently as possible. When it is on the skin, achieving the best possible cosmetic outcome is also incredibly important. This is something we truly care about. The skin cancers treated at the clinic are mainly Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCCs) but treatment of other cancers and pre-cancers of the skin may also be suitable at the clinic following assessment and discussion. It is important that the more aggressive types of skin cancers, such as melanoma, once formally diagnosed, be treated by the wider multi-disciplinary team available through the NHS.
Please get in touch if you have any other conditions which you think might be amenable to minor surgery under local anaesthetic and we would be very happy to review your case and advice if this could be treated in our clinic or be able to recommend an alternative service.