Mole removal

Assessment first, always

Every mole is examined with a dermoscope before any decision about removal. This matters more than it may sound: a mole that is destroyed by laser or cautery cannot be examined by a pathologist afterwards. If that lesion was an early melanoma, the diagnosis has been lost along with the evidence.

Dr Babamiri will tell you plainly which of your moles look benign, which warrant monitoring, and which need excision and histology. Where a lesion raises concern beyond the scope of a GPwSI service, you will be referred on urgently rather than treated here.

How surgical removal works

For a mole that requires histology, the lesion is removed under local anaesthetic with a small margin of surrounding skin and closed with sutures. The specimen goes to a histopathology laboratory and you receive the result with an explanation of what it means.

For clearly benign raised moles being removed for comfort or appearance, shave excision under local anaesthetic may be appropriate. The tissue is still sent for examination.

Recovery

Expect a small dressing and some tenderness for a few days. Sutures are usually removed a week to two weeks later depending on site. You will be given written aftercare and a point of contact if anything concerns you.

Any removal on the skin leaves a mark. On the face this usually settles to a fine line; on the trunk, shoulders and chest, scars are more likely to widen or thicken. This is discussed before you consent, not afterwards.

Risks and limitations

No treatment is without risk, and you are entitled to the full picture before you decide rather than a summary afterwards. These are discussed with you individually at consultation, in the context of your own history.

• Scarring, which is certain to some degree and variable in quality
• Bleeding, bruising and, uncommonly, infection
• Recurrence if a benign mole is incompletely removed
• Altered sensation around the site
• The possibility that histology returns an unexpected result requiring further surgery

Where you would be seen

Consultations and minor skin surgery take place at CLNQ Manchester on the ground floor of the South Tower at Deansgate Square, and at CLNQ Knutsford on King Street in Cheshire. Patients travel from across Greater Manchester and Cheshire — Altrincham, Hale, Bowdon, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Didsbury are all within easy reach of one or other site.

Where a lesion needs a theatre rather than a treatment room, the procedure is arranged at Deansgate Hospital, a CQC-registered private hospital a few minutes away in Manchester city centre. Any specimen requiring histology goes to a UK histopathology laboratory and the result is discussed with you directly.

• CLNQ Manchester — Deansgate Square 11 Owen Street, Manchester M15 4YB Ground floor of the South Tower at Deansgate Square, Manchester city centre.
• CLNQ Knutsford — Cheshire 49-51 King Street, Knutsford WA16 6DX King Street, Knutsford, serving Cheshire and the surrounding area.
• Deansgate Hospital Madison House, 37 Little Peter Street, Manchester M15 4QJ CQC-registered private hospital in Manchester city centre, for procedures needing a theatre.

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