Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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Once you understand the words on a pathology report, the next question is the one that matters most: what
do I do now? The answer depends on the result. A benign mole means no further action.
A dysplastic naevus usually means reassurance, sometimes a wider excision if severe. Melanoma
in situ means a planned wider local excision. Invasive melanoma means urgent referral to
a specialist skin-cancer team for staging and treatment. This guide sets out the next steps for each outcome and
the UK pathway you can expect.
If the Result Is Benign
The great majority of biopsied moles are benign. If margins are clear, no further treatment is needed and the
matter is closed. It remains sensible to keep an eye on your other moles — if you have many, consider
mole mapping
to monitor them over time.
If It Is a Dysplastic (Atypical) Naevus
A dysplastic naevus is benign. Mild or moderate dysplasia with clear margins usually needs nothing further beyond
monitoring. Severe dysplasia, or dysplasia reaching the margin, is often treated with a small
wider excision to ensure complete removal. Having several atypical moles is a reason for ongoing
surveillance — see what to do about atypical moles.
If It Is Melanoma In Situ
Melanoma in situ is the earliest, non-invasive stage and is highly curable. The standard treatment is a planned
wider local excision — removing a margin of normal skin around the original site to eliminate any
remaining abnormal cells. Because it has not invaded deeper tissue, it does not usually require further
investigation beyond this.
If It Is Invasive Melanoma
An invasive melanoma is referred to a specialist skin-cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT). Treatment is guided by
the Breslow thickness and other features and typically includes a wider local excision, with a
sentinel lymph node biopsy considered for thicker melanomas to check whether cells have spread.
Staging investigations and follow-up are arranged according to
NICE melanoma guidance.
Caught early, melanoma is very treatable — which is the entire point of prompt assessment.
The UK Referral Pathway
In the UK, a suspected melanoma triggers an urgent referral to dermatology or plastic surgery (the NHS “two-week
wait”). Privately, the same specialists arrange the wider excision and any staging quickly. London Skin Clinic’s
consultant plastic surgeons perform skin-cancer excision and reconstruction and coordinate onward care where
needed. If your result is concerning, do not wait — arrange an urgent assessment.
Common Questions
- My mole was benign — do I need to do anything?
- If the result is benign with clear margins, no further treatment is needed. It is still wise to monitor your other moles, particularly if you have many or a family history of melanoma; mole mapping makes that easy and objective.
- What is a wider excision and why might I need one?
- A wider local excision removes an extra margin of normal skin around where the mole was, to make sure no abnormal cells remain. It is used for severe dysplasia reaching the margin, melanoma in situ, and invasive melanoma. It is a planned, straightforward procedure.
- Is melanoma curable if caught early?
- Yes. Melanoma in situ and thin invasive melanomas have an excellent prognosis when removed promptly with adequate margins. Outcomes depend strongly on how early the melanoma is found, which is why any suspicious mole should be assessed without delay.
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