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Send us your comments"I recently had occasion to have a lesion removed from my leg in the department of Dermatology. I experienced courtesy and a sense of humour both during surgery and in outpatients from all those with whom I came into contact." Mrs MT
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melanoma
Melanoma is the rarest, but most serious form of skin cancer as it is more likely to spread than other type.
View the full jargon busterDermatology Services (conditions of the skin)
Melanoma One Stop Screening Service
Contact: (0191) 282 4549 - Melanoma Screening Clinic reception
Early detection is the key to successful treatment of melanoma.
The Melanoma Screening Clinic at the RVI provides a “one stop”, open access clinic for patients whose GP wishes to rule out the possibility of a suspicious mole or other skin lesion being a skin cancer. The clinic has been run for over 10 years now and has its own consultant, together with 3 to 4 other doctors. We see around 3,000 patients per year, approximately 100 of whom will be diagnosed with a malignant melanoma.
Open access clinic
The service is available to adults and children, without an appointment, provided you have a letter from your doctor. Just turn up between 1.30 and 3.30pm on a Thursday at the RVI's Dermatology Outpatient Department, and we will see you that afternoon. No appointments are available but you will be seen in the order you arrive in.
If your mole is considered suspicious, it is removed immediately and the consultant will discuss the test results with you the following week. If the mole is benign (non-cancerous), you know immediately and can go home reassured.
If the mole is found to be malignant (cancerous), further tests or investigations may be required and the options available will be discussed so that you can make an informed choice on what to do next.
