We provide world-class skin cancer treatment at our St John’s Wood clinic.
Non-melanoma skin cancer, often referred to as basal cell carcinoma, is increasingly common in the UK. Although not as severe as malignant melanoma, this type of lesion always requires medical intervention and should be assessed by a consultant dermatologist.
At our highly regarded plastic surgery clinic in the prestigious Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth in St John’s Wood, we provide a range of treatment options for skin lesion removal.
If you have any concerns about your skin, you can contact our skin cancer treatment specialists for an initial consultation.
Like all cancers, skin cancer develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably.
Skin cancer is divided into two types.
Malignant melanoma
Malignant melanoma can spread throughout the rest of the body. Urgent treatment and early detection are essential for the best outcomes.
Non-melanoma skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer or basal cell carcinoma (BCC) rarely spreads but, left untreated, will continue to grow, making removal more complex and invasive.
What are the risk factors for developing skin cancer?
Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer.
UV rays more easily damage fair skin, and people with pale, freckled skin need to check their skin regularly, particularly if they spend a lot of time outside.
Sunbed use has also been connected to skin cancer.
What do basal cell carcinomas look like?
Non-melanoma skin cancers have a variety of appearances.
You may notice a scab that won’t heal, a raised red lump on the skin, or a flat patch with a red scaly appearance.
All these and other skin lesions could point to skin cancer and should be assessed by a doctor.
Most basal cell carcinomas develop on the parts of the body that receive the most skin exposure to UV rays, such as the face, scalp, ears, and neck.
Can I protect myself against skin cancer?
To protect against UV rays, it is a good idea to avoid sun exposure, especially at the hottest time of day.
A high SPF, a sun hat and avoiding sun beds will help prevent skin cancer development.
If you have suspicious skin lesions, changes in a mole, or any other symptoms that worry you, you should always consult a consultant dermatologist, who will perform a biopsy and give you a diagnosis.
What are the treatment options for skin cancer?
The best treatment for your skin cancer depends on its size, location, and overall health.
Once your skin has been assessed at your initial consultation, a consultant dermatologist will advise you on a treatment plan.
Superficial removal methods
Topical Creams
These are applied to the skin and are an effective treatment for small, superficial lesions. The two most frequently used are imiquimod cream and 5-fluorouracil cream (5-FU).
Photodynamic therapy
This involves a cream which makes the abnormal cells sensitive to light. Exposure to a specific wavelength of light destroys the abnormal cells.
Cryotherapy
The abnormal skin cells are destroyed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen.
Curettage and cautery
The BCC is scraped off the skin’s surface, and the site is cauterised.
Surgery to remove skin cancer at our St John’s Wood clinic
Before commencing surgery, we always take a complete medical history from our patients to ensure that the course of treatment is appropriate for them. We will give you as much detail as you wish about your skin conditions to ensure you can make an informed decision.
Mohs micrographic surgery
During a Mohs procedure, dermatologists remove the skin cancer and then examine the tissue to check that the entire lesion has been removed. If any cells remain, more skin is removed, and the surgeon is positive that all the abnormal cells have gone.
If the treatment area is large, a skin graft may be required; otherwise, the wound will be closed with stitches.
Radiotherapy
X-ray treatment is sometimes used to destroy the basal cell carcinoma.
Vismodegib
This is an effective treatment that is used to treat the rare cases of non-melanoma skin cancer that have spread elsewhere in the body or become very advanced at their original site.
As with all medical interventions, early diagnosis usually ensures the simplest and most effective outcomes, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment to see one of the dermatology team if you have any skin concerns.
The Warwick Clinic in St John’s Wood for skin cancer treatment
The founder of the Warwick Clinic, Mr Rana Das-Gupta, is a highly respected plastic reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon with an international reputation.
He has gathered an excellent team around him and offers a range of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, including skin cancer removal.
The Warwick Clinic Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth 60 Grove End Road, London NW8 9NH
Directions
Arriving by train
St John’s Wood underground station on the Jubilee Line is a 3-minute walk from the hospital.
We are a fifteen-minute walk from Maida Vale Underground Station (Bakerloo Line) and a twenty-five-minute walk from Baker Street Station (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan Line).
Arriving by bus
Bus routes 13, 46 and 113 pass along nearby Wellington Road. The nearest stop is just before St. John’s Wood Underground Station. The 187 bus route goes along Circus Road, which stops a short 3-minute walk from the main hospital entrance. Bus routes 139 and 189 travel along Abbey Road. The nearest stop is when Grove End Road becomes Abbey Road.
Car parking
There is limited street parking locally. Please note there is no patient parking or disabled parking onsite at the hospital.
Click on Just Park for bookable car parking spaces and driveways in the local area.
Location Map
About St John’s Wood
St John’s Wood is an affluent residential suburb in Westminster, London.
St John’s Wood extends from Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill in the east to Edgware Road in the west, with the Swiss Cottage area of Hampstead to the north and Lisson Grove to the south.
St John’s Wood is home to Lord’s Cricket Ground, home of Marylebone Cricket Club and Middlesex CCC.It has strong associations with the Beatles. Sir Paul McCartney has lived there since the 1960s, and it is the home of the iconic Abbey Road Studios.
Contact Us
Please contact us by phone or using the form for more information or to arrange a consulation. We also offer consultations by Skype.
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