Histological Testing

What is histology and why is it important?

Histology is the microscopic examination of tissue by a pathologist in the lab.

This allows us to:

• Ensure nothing has been missed
• Confirm the exact nature of the lesion
• Provide a clear medical diagnosis

When is histology included?

We will recommend and include histology as standard in the following situations:

• Any lesion which is changing or symptomatic
• Any lesion that shows suspicious features or where the diagnosis is uncertain
• Any flat pigmented skin lesion
• Any skin lesion that is being fully removed and treated by the full excision method
• Lipomas (>2cm)
• When intra-operative findings raise concern

In these cases, your quoted treatment price includes both the cost of safe surgical removal and professional laboratory analysis.

Please note that our clinic only deals with longstanding, unconcerning moles – if you have a mole that is changing or behaving suspiciously we recommend that you visit your GP for an urgent NHS Dermatology review.

Optional Histology for Other Lesions

For some lesions that are clinically typical and benign, histology is not routinely necessary following assessment.

These may include:

• Longstanding raised moles with no suspicious features
• Clinically typical seborrheic keratoses/ dermatofibromas/ sebaceous hyperplasia
• Cysts
• Lipomas (<2cm)
• Skin tags
• Warts

In these situations, histology can be requested for reassurance if you would prefer. Where histology is optional, it is available at a supplementary charge of £200 per sample.

We will always advise you during your consultation whether histology is clinically recommended or optional in your specific case.

Diagnostic Skin Biopsy

In selected cases, a skin lesion may require further investigation prior to definitive removal or treatment.

A diagnostic skin biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue (either as a shave or an incisional/punch biopsy) and sending it for histological testing. This is not complete lesion removal, and further treatment or referral may be required depending on the result.