Professor Ben Miranda | Leading Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon in London & Essex
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What is Skin Cancer | London & Essex?
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Professor Ben Miranda performs skin cancer surgery in London Harley Street & Essex (Chelmsford & Southend). Skin cancers can occur anywhere in the body, they are often associated with previous sun exposure and are more often seen in patients with lighter skin tones; the sun damage sustained by the normal cells within the skin causes them to grow into a tumour. For this reason it is always advisable to take precautions when travelling to hot holiday destinations (wear a hat, use high factor sun cream) and avoid prolonged or intense exposure to the sun or UV light such as during sunbathing or when using sunbeds. The 3 most common types of skin cancer that affect patients are:
BCC (basal cell skin cancer): This is the most frequent type of skin cancer and its appearance may vary; it may present as a red or white patch, discrete nodule or area of ulceration. BCC skin cancers tend to get larger and distort or destroy local structures but they rarely metastasise (spread around the body) unless they become extremely large and are not removed via skin cancer surgery early.
SCC (squamous cell skin cancer): This is the 2nd most frequent type of skin cancer; it may present as a scaly red patch, open sore / ulcer or a raised growth. It is very common to experience pre-cancerous red scaly patches (actinic keratosis) which if left may develop into SCC skin cancer. Bowen’s disease is a type of early SCC ‘in situ’ that also may present as a diffuse red patch. As SCC skin cancer is more likely to metastasise (spread around the body) than BCC skin cancer, it is very important to seek treatment early; skin cancer surgery is the best form of treatment for SCC skin cancer.
Melanoma Skin Cancer: Malignant melanoma skin cancer is not as frequent as BCC and SCC skin cancer, however it may be more serious; patients may notice the appearance of a new mole, or a change in colour, size, shape or features (itching, bleeding, crusting) within a pre-existing mole; some types of melanoma skin cancer however do not have the brown colour of a mole and therefore may be more difficult to detect (amelanocytic melanoma). Any suspicious moles, regardless of their colour, should therefore be treated with skin cancer surgery early to exclude melanoma, as melanoma has a tendency to metastasise (spread around the body).
Telephone: 020 3763 7999
Email: secretary@BenMiranda.com
What Skin Cancer Treatments are Available in London & Essex?
Treatment very much depends on the type of skin cancer that you have. Professor Miranda specialises in treating skin cancer and providing the best cosmetic outcome possible; he will discuss these options with you during your consultation to help you decide which is the best option for you:
Topical Cream / Ointment: Certain types of skin cancer (BCC, Bowen’s disease) and pre-cancerous red scaly patches (actinic keratosis) may be treated early using 5-fluorouracil (Efudix) or diclofenac (Solaraze) cream. However, this will not provide a histological diagnosis.
Freezing / Cryotherapy: Certain types of skin cancer (BCC, Bowen’s disease) and pre-cancerous red scaly patches (actinic keratosis) may be treated early by freezing. However, this will not provide a histological diagnosis.
Photodynamic Therapy: This uses a special drug to sensitise abnormal cells to light (photosensitisation); light is then used to destroy the skin cells. Photodynamic therapy may require multiple visits to hospital and multiple treatments. However, this will not provide a histological diagnosis.
Radiotherapy: Radiation is used to destroy abnormal skin cells; patients will require multiple visits to hospital and multiple treatments in most cases. Radiotherapy is often used in cases of skin cancer that are not treatable by other means, or in patients who are not suitable for surgery.
Skin Cancer Surgery in London & Essex: Surgery is the main technique used for established skin cancer, including BCC, SCC and Melanoma. Not only is surgery used to remove cancer, it is also used to obtain a biopsy (histological diagnosis) and to reconstruct the area affected after removal of the skin cancer:
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Biopsy: In some cases, a piece of tissue is removed from the possible skin cancer to establish a diagnosis first. As further treatment depends on the type of skin cancer you have, obtaining a diagnosis first may help to remove the requirement for surgery, or minimise the extent of surgery required.
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Surgical Excision: A safety margin is marked around the skin cancer, according to national guidelines, to ensure that it is cleared fully. Larger non-melanoma (BCC, SCC) and melanoma skin cancers may require larger excision margins and therefore leave a larger defect. Professor Ben Miranda is highly skilled at reconstruction to minimise the cosmetic and functional impact that this will have on you.
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Skin Graft Reconstruction: A thin piece of skin is discretely removed from one area of your body and used to cover up the defect left from surgical excision. There are 2 types of skin graft, ‘split skin’ and ‘full thickness’, each with their own indications, risks and benefits. Professor Miranda specialises in cosmetic reconstruction and will discuss these carefully with you in advance of your surgery to help you decide which is best for you.
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Flap Reconstruction: A neighbouring piece of tissue is rotated into the defect left from surgical excision. One of the advantages of this type of reconstruction is that it may produce a better cosmetic outcome, however, it is not always the best option for you; Professor Miranda specialises in cosmetic reconstruction and will discuss all the surgical options with you in advance of your surgery to help you decide which is best for you.
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Anaesthetic: Local
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Surgery time: 60-90 minutes.
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Hospital Stay: Day case.
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Recovery Time: Minimal (biopsy) / 5-7 days (excision, depending on type and reconstruction).
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Time off work: None (biopsy) / 1-2 weeks (depending on type and reconstruction).
What are the Complications of Skin Cancer Surgery?
Many of the potential complications of skin cancer surgery listed below will be minimised by Professor Miranda's clinical experience and meticulous surgical technique and careful post-operative follow-up in the dressing clinic. Whether you have your skin cancer surgery in London or Essex, you can rest assured that Professor Miranda and his experienced team will offer you the best care available.
Potential complications of all skin cancer surgery may include infection, bleeding, incomplete excision, recurrence and wound breakdown (including a skin graft / flap). Depending on the site of your skin cancer, local structures may be affected such as nerves or tendons. Skin cancers in cosmetically-sensitive areas, such as the face, are more likely to produce visible scars and a change in your cosmetic appearance, however, Professor Ben Miranda specialises in cosmetic reconstruction to minimise this effect.
Contact Professor Ben Miranda
Prof B Miranda, Consultant Plastic & Hand Surgeon
London, Chelmsford, Southend
SURGERY Telephone:
0203 763 7999
Email: secretary@BenMiranda.com
MEDICOLEGAL Email: info@BenMiranda.com
Hours
Mon 09:00 – 17:00
Tue 09:00 – 17:00
Wed 09:00 – 17:00
Thu 09:00 – 17:00
Fri 09:00 – 17:00
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
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