Interview transcription:

We interviewed Dr Penelope Pratsou to find out the duration and costs of treatment for moles and melanoma. 

How long does treatment for moles or melanoma take, and what does the treatment cost?

Penelope Pratsou: Treatment for melanoma can be very quick. If you came to see me today with a mole that you thought had turned funny or a new growing spot on your skin, and if I agreed that it looked a bit suspicious, then I would remove that mole on the same day. That would be the first step. The next step would involve you coming back a week or two later to have it checked again. In some cases, it can be a little bit more tricky. If the melanoma is a little bit more advanced then we would work as a team with my colleagues, who also deal with melanoma, and a discussion would take place and a recommendation to you with regards to the best treatment.

The first step to feeling in charge of your skin is to book an initial consultation

FIND OUT HOW TO GET THE SKIN YOU WANT

Penelope Pratsou: Thankfully, the vast majority of melanomas are very early stage and the treatment is quite quick. Even in those cases where it can be a bit more complicated, based on that recommendation, things can move very quickly, and it is often a matter of weeks before we start and complete treatment.

The costs can be very variable as the consultation and treatment may only involve me and my clinic, or it could be that you need to see a different specialist, and therefore the cost would vary depending on the type of treatment that you might get.

If you have any of the symptoms or conditions that we’ve just discussed, we invite you to book a consultation with Dr Penelope Pratsou where she’ll be able to assess your condition and give you a suitable treatment plan.

Share this post

About the author

Dr Penelope Pratsou | Consultant Dermatologist

MBChB, MRCP (UK) (Dermatology)

I’m Dr Penelope Pratsou, a skilled independent Consultant Dermatologist based in Berkshire. I have specialist expertise in the diagnosis and management of all skin cancers, and in performing mole checks. I’m a trained skin surgeon and remove skin cancers, moles, skin tags, cysts and warts.

I also have invaluable experience in dealing with all skin conditions, from the common skin complaints of acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, to the rarer and more complex skin problems, having seen it all through years of NHS work.

After I obtained my Membership to the Royal College of Physicians, I undertook rigorous specialist training in dermatology, before being appointed as a Consultant Dermatologist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. There, I helped set up and lead a busy clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of suspected skin cancer. I was also actively involved in supervising and training both dermatology and GP trainees.

Alongside my increasingly busy private practice, I have maintained an NHS practice in Oxford in order to continue to engage with challenging cases and to develop my specialist interest in skin allergy.