Suspicious mole what’s the process ?

[watermelonsugarmum]

Hi so I hope this doesn’t sound like a silly question but let’s say I’m worried about a mole it’s started to flake and crust etc I go to the GP and then what should my GP do ? Ideally would I get referred to a dermatologist? Also what does the dermatologist do to confirm if it’s a normal mole or not how do they test the mole etc ? Just trying to wrap my head around what should happen and the process etc

I'm assuming you're in the UK? I would imagine if the GP is at all worried it might need treatment they will refer you to a dermatologist / skin clinic. They will then look at it through specialist equipment and / or take a scraping to biopsy.

if the biopsy shows it needs treatment then it will likely be removed or you'll be given chemo cream.

I'm in this process myself. GP took a photo of the mole and then referred me to the dermatologist along with the photo. That was almost 3 months ago, I haven't heard a thing.

I had a mole was worried about. The GP practice booked me a “telederm” appointment where a nurse took a series of photos of the mole with a special lens and these were sent to the local dermatology department where they confirmed a week or two later that there was nothing to be concerned about.

Go to the GP. Some GPs may have a dermatascope and be able to make an assessment, but usually they'll refer to a specialist who will do this. Then if they're even remotely worried they'll do some sort of biopsy. That might be a scrape, or they might go ahead and remove the mole. Straightforward procedure under local anaesthetic.

I've had a couple, so has DH. They've always been dealt with pretty quickly. All of ours so far have been benign.

Chase them. They shouldn't be taking that long - likely bad admin.

I had this last year.

gp referred to dermatology

dermatology looked at it and said what they thought it was. They only remove if suspicious. Referred to surgeon for removal.

removed and biopsied and letter send with the result.

Thanks everyone my other question is I have about 3 moles that I’m worried about will the dermatologist look at all of them when I’m there or does my GP have to refer me for each mole and then they look at all of them how does it work pls .

I was referred by the GP to the dermatology/oncology department of local hospital for mole mapping. This is where they look at you all over with a magnifying glass and then take photos of any with characteristics that they want to monitor and you go back to the hospital periodically to let them look at you/compare to the photos. I've now been going for several years and had 3 removed in total. If there are any they are immediately concerned about at that appointment then they will remove them asap (surgical outpatient procedure not at the same time). They then send what they've removed to be tested and results come back several weeks later.