Lentigo Maligna Hampshire UK
- Lentigo Maligna is a slow growing flat brown mark that can turn into a malignant melanoma
- At the Wessex Skin Clinic, you will be treated by Dr Geoffrey Fairris who is one of the UK's top Consultant Dermatologists. He has been successfully treating lentigo maligna since the 1980s.
What is it?
Lentigo Maligna is a pre-cancer which occurs, most commonly, on the face. It is a flat, multicoloured mark and the abnormal cells are confined to the outer layer of the skin. While the cells remain confined to the outer layer, the disease cannot spread within the body.
What causes it?
Lentigo Maligna is caused by the cumulative effect of ultraviolet light upon the DNA in skin cells. The more sun exposure you have had in your life, the more likely you are to get one. They tend to arise at sites of maximum sun exposure in people with fair skin.
What will happen if it is not treated?
The area enlarges over several years gradually developing an increasingly irregular edge and displaying more shades of brown.
It is not possible to predict when or if the lesion will turn into a malignant melanoma and so it should be removed as soon as it is recognised.
How can it be treated?
Surgery produces the best cure rate and cosmetic result. Radiotherapy is a useful alternative, mainly in older patients.
Other treatments such as imiquimod cream are still experimental treatments.
How can it be prevented?
Early detection by self-examination and mole-scanning are important.
Wearing a sunscreen may help. Two ml of sunscreen with SPF 20 and **** UVA protection should be applied to the face every morning.
