How melanoma is diagnosed

Seeing a specialist Back to top

If you have a suspected melanoma you should be seen within a couple of weeks by a skin cancer specialist. Your appointment will usually be at a skin clinic or at a pigmented lesion clinic (a special clinic for diagnosing melanomas early). You will see a skin specialist (dermatologist) or a plastic surgeon. These doctors are experienced in treating skin cancers.

Your specialist will examine your mole and ask you questions about how long you’ve had it and the changes you’ve noticed. They usually also examine the rest of your skin to see if you have any other unusual moles.

Some specialists may look at your moles with a small hand held instrument called a dermatoscope. This gives a bigger and clearer picture of the mole, but it’s not always necessary to have this test. Your specialist will be able to tell a lot by just looking at your mole.

If they think you have a melanoma your specialist will ask you to have the whole mole removed (excision biopsy). You may also be introduced to a specialist skin cancer nurse who will give you information and support.

Giving your consent Back to top

Before your mole is removed, your doctor will explain the aims of the treatment to you. You’ll usually be asked to sign a form saying that you give your permission (consent) for the mole to be removed. Your doctors or specialist nurse will explain the procedure and talk to you about any possible complications, such as bleeding or infection, although these are unusual. They’ll also explain that you will have a small scar as a result of having your mole removed.

Removing the mole (excision biopsy) Back to top

Once you’re lying down comfortably your doctor will inject a local anaesthetic around the area of the mole. After this they will cut out the whole mole and a tiny amount of skin around it (2–5mm). You won’t feel this because the local anaesthetic numbs the area. Your doctor will then close the wound using stitches, which will be removed after 5–14 days. Some people may have stitches which dissolve and don’t need to be removed.

The mole is examined under the microscope by a pathologist to see if any melanoma cells are present. You usually get the results within a few weeks when you return to the clinic.

When it’s confirmed that it was a melanoma your specialist may talk to you about having further surgery, known as a wide local excision. A wide local excision is done to make sure that all the melanoma cells in the area have been removed. This is explained in the section on treatment|.