Mole or Melanoma? Why Histology is Essential for Safe Skin Lesion Removal & Detection of Skin Cancer

Many people notice new moles or changes to existing ones and wonder: “How do I know if this mole is cancerous?” or “Can you tell melanoma from a normal mole just by looking?”

The simple truth is: you can’t – at least, not with the naked eye.

At The Medical Skin Clinic in Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, our priority is keeping patients safe. That’s why we combine expert skin assessments with dermoscopy and ensure that every lesion we remove is sent for histology.

What is Dermoscopy?

Dermoscopy is a specialist technique using a magnifying device with polarised light to examine the structures of a mole or skin lesion in far more detail than the naked eye can see.

• Benign moles usually have predictable, uniform patterns.

• Concerning lesions may show irregular shapes, uneven pigmentation, or unusual blood vessels.

While dermoscopy greatly improves accuracy, even the most experienced clinicians sometimes cannot be completely certain.

Why is Histology the Gold Standard?

If a lesion is removed, it is vital that it is sent for histological analysis (microscopic examination by a pathologist).

Histology is the only way to confirm:

• Whether a mole is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous)

• What type of skin cancer is present (e.g. melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma)

• Whether the lesion has been fully excised

This step ensures nothing is left to chance.

How We Keep Our Patients Safe

At The Medical Skin Clinic, we strictly follow the Minor Surgery Gold Standards:

✅ We only remove lesions that appear benign on clinical and dermoscopic examination

.✅ Any lesion with suspicious features is referred back to the NHS for urgent assessment and treatment.

✅ Every specimen we remove is sent to histology, even when it appears harmless.

This means our patients always receive the safest, most responsible level of care.

When Should You Get a Mole Checked?

You should book a skin cancer check if you notice:

• A mole that is new or looks different from your others

• Changes in size, shape, or colour

• A mole that is itchy, bleeding, or crusting

• An “ugly duckling” mole that doesn’t look like your other moles

  
  

These are sometimes called the ABCDE signs of melanoma:

• Asymmetry

• Border irregularity

• Colour variation

• Diameter over 6mm

• Evolving or changing mole

  
  

Skin Cancer Checks in Newmarket

If you’re concerned about a mole or want peace of mind, our clinicians at The Medical Skin Clinic in Newmarket, Cambridgeshire provide:

• Full skin cancer checks using dermoscopy

• Expert advice on which lesions are safe and which need onward referral

• Mole removal for benign lesions, always sent for histology

Key Takeaway

🔑 Even the most experienced Clinicians can't tell for certain whether a mole is harmless or dangerous without histology.

🌟 At The Medical Skin Clinic, your safety always comes first – which is why every lesion we remove is checked under the microscope.

📍 Serving patients from Newmarket, Cambridge, Ely, Bury St Edmunds and surrounding areas, we’re here to give you confidence in your skin health.

👉 Book your skin cancer check at The Medical Skin Clinic today