Skin Cancer Treatment in London
Skin cancer treatment in London is provided by 30+ GMC-registered dermatological surgeons and Mohs surgeons across Harley Street and specialist centres offering excisional surgery for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma achieving 90-95% cure rates, Mohs micrographic surgery for facial cancers providing 98-99% cure rates with tissue preservation, and melanoma coordination with multidisciplinary teams including oncology, radiology, and plastic surgery with treatment costs £800-£8,000 depending on complexity covered by private insurance and NHS.
London skin cancer specialists diagnose non-melanoma skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma) and melanoma using dermoscopy and skin biopsy, perform same-day or urgent surgery within 2 weeks, provide reconstructive surgery minimising scarring, and coordinate ongoing surveillance preventing recurrence through annual full-body skin examinations.Types of Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Characteristics:
Most common skin cancer (75%)
Slow-growing, rarely spreads
Sun-exposed areas (face, ears, scalp, neck)
Pearl-like nodules or non-healing sores
99% cure rate with treatment
Treatment: Surgical excision or Mohs surgery
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Characteristics:
Second most common (20%)
Faster-growing than BCC
Can metastasise if untreated
Scaly red patches or firm nodules
95% cure rate if caught early
Treatment: Surgical excision, often wider margins than BCC
Melanoma
Characteristics:
Most serious skin cancer
Can spread rapidly
New or changing moles
ABCDE signs (Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter, Evolving)
Excellent prognosis if caught early
Treatment: Wide excision, sentinel node biopsy, immunotherapy/targeted therapy if advanced
Treatment Options
Surgical Excision
Standard treatment for most skin cancers:
Local anaesthetic
Cancer removed with margin of healthy skin
Sent to lab for confirmation
Stitches for closure
90-95% cure rate
Cost: £800-£2,500
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Tissue-sparing surgery for facial cancers:
Layer-by-layer removal
Immediate microscopic examination
Preserves maximum healthy tissue
98-99% cure rate
Same-day procedure
Cost: £2,000-£8,000
Browse Mohs surgeons in London.
Non-Surgical Options
Cryotherapy: Freezing small BCCs, 85-90% cure rate, £200-£500
Curettage & Cautery: Scraping and burning, suitable for small low-risk BCCs, £400-£800
Topical Therapy: Imiquimod cream for superficial BCCs, 80-85% cure rate, 6-12 weeks application
Radiotherapy: For patients unsuitable for surgery, 85-90% cure rate, multiple sessions
Top Skin Cancer Specialists
Professor Firas Al-Niaimi - Harley Street
Mohs surgeon and laser specialist
Cost: £350 consultation, £3,000-£8,000 Mohs surgery
Profile: View Professor Al-Niaimi
Dr. Sweta Rai - Harley Street
Dermatological surgeon specialising in Mohs surgery and reconstruction
Cost: £320 consultation
Profile: View Dr. Sweta Rai
Browse surgical dermatologists for more specialists.
Treatment Costs
Treatment | Cost Range | Cure Rate |
|---|---|---|
Excisional Surgery | £800-£2,500 | 90-95% |
Mohs Surgery | £2,000-£8,000 | 98-99% |
Cryotherapy | £200-£500 | 85-90% |
Radiotherapy | £3,000-£8,000 | 85-90% |
Insurance: Usually covered by Bupa, Axa, Aviva with pre-authorisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly should skin cancer be treated?
Suspected skin cancers should be assessed within 2 weeks with treatment scheduled within 2-4 weeks of diagnosis. Melanoma requires urgent referral within 2 weeks. Non-melanoma skin cancers grow slowly allowing 2-4 week treatment window safely. Private dermatologists provide appointments within 48 hours for urgent cases, 1-2 weeks routine. Delaying treatment months increases cancer size requiring larger surgery and reconstruction.
Is Mohs surgery better than regular excision?
Mohs surgery achieves 98-99% cure rates versus 90-95% for excision making it gold standard for facial skin cancers, recurrent tumours, and large/aggressive cancers. Mohs preserves maximum healthy tissue critical for facial aesthetics minimising scarring and reconstruction. However Mohs costs £2,000-£8,000 versus £800-£2,500 excision and requires specialist training limiting availability. Choose Mohs for facial cancers; excision suitable for body cancers and small low-risk lesions.
Will I have a scar after skin cancer surgery?
All skin cancer surgery creates scars as cutting skin is required to remove cancer. Scar size depends on cancer size, location, and closure technique. Facial surgery typically leaves 2-4cm fine line scars fading over 12 months. Mohs surgery minimises scarring through tissue preservation. Plastic reconstruction available for large defects. Most patients find scars acceptable given cancer removal. Discuss scar expectations at consultation.
Can skin cancer come back after treatment?
Skin cancer can recur at treatment site in 1-5% of cases even after successful surgery if microscopic cancer cells remain. Recurrence risk higher for large cancers, aggressive subtypes, and incompletely excised tumours. Mohs surgery has lowest recurrence rate (1-2%) through complete margin assessment. New skin cancers can develop elsewhere requiring annual full-body skin checks. Recurrent cancers treated with repeat surgery achieving similar cure rates.
Is skin cancer treatment covered by insurance?
Private medical insurance including Bupa, Axa, Aviva covers skin cancer treatment as medical necessity. Coverage includes dermatology consultations, biopsy, surgery (excision or Mohs), reconstructive surgery, and follow-up monitoring. Obtain pre-authorisation before treatment listing diagnosis code and proposed procedure. Excess fees apply typically £100-£250. NHS provides free skin cancer treatment after GP referral with 2-week wait for suspected cancer.
Next Steps
Contact skin cancer specialists: