Good skin cancer treatment comes from accurate diagnosis, based on professional experience and the use of modern science. Apart from offering a well equipped laboratory, we ensure you see the leading specialists in London.
Our consultants diagnostic expertise is well recognised. Dr Stevens is a lecturer to the medical profession, on non invasive imaging techniques of the skin, such as dermoscopy and confocal microscopy.
At a microscopic level, your outer skin is rough and scatters light, making precise imaging difficult, dermascopes are designed to overcome this. Confocal microscopes also eliminate out of focus light, along with increasing image resolution and contrast.
Used individually, or together, in expert hands these techniques lead the field in diagnosing pigmented and non pigmented skin lesions. Unnecessary biopsies are avoided and diagnostic accuracy is enhanced.
Time is of the essence with any cancer treatment. Whether issues are early stage, or more advanced, treatment needs can be lessened by early diagnosis and the likelihood of notable surgery reduced.
In Depth Consultation
A consultant from our skin cancer team will examine you and talk with you. Knowing how you feel and more about the history of your problem are part of diagnosis.
Your examination can tell a specialist much of what they will need to know. The depth, type and size of lesions, or melanomas can be established using the procedures mentioned above, dermoscopy and confocal microscopy.
In a few cases, a biopsy may be required, to be analysed in our lab. Confocal microscopy is however the digital equivalent, able to literally look beneath your skin.
Benign lesions can be isolated with accuracy, avoiding the need for biopsy. Cancer signs, early stage, or more significant can be identified and treatment begin. In the unusual event that your consultation raises any unanswered questions, they do not remain so.
Further Investigation
The ability to discuss cases within a multidisciplinary team should not be undervalued. No one person can know everything, the combined skills of several high end consultants matter.
Other diagnostic equipment might offer the best insight for a particular case, such as optical coherence tomography. This has similarities to ultrasound but uses light instead of sound and offers an in depth view of your skin.
The latest technology is useful, computer software can also aid diagnosis, although expert eyes remain the best solution. Skin cancer diagnosis is about more than a lesion itself, the person and their wishes matter more.
Needs can arise during diagnosis for forward thinking, whether successful treatment could bring side issues. Perhaps plastic surgeons, urologists, or gynaecologists need to be consulted, we ensure they are involved.
The Best Outcome
The reason for our in depth approach is because skin cancer diagnosis at our London clinics is not a closed step. Diagnosis can be part of ongoing support and in any event, is the cornerstone of successful treatment.
A confirmed, clear diagnosis leads to the right outcomes. All the skills on board should simply be there to help patients return to a normal life, free from worry.
Skin cancer treatment is now well developed, even for advanced cases, the skills of our team and accurate assessment will help. Early diagnosis is still important. If you have any concerns, please get in touch to arrange a consultation.