Mole, Cyst and Lump Removal for Children in London.
Some moles and lumps in children are harmless and need nothing more than a careful look. When one does need removing, it is done by a children's plastic surgeon, with the least scarring possible, inside a children's hospital.
- Consultant at Evelina London
- From birth to 18
- On the GMC Specialist Register, FRCS (Plast)
- Lesions sent for analysis
Miss Jana Torres-Grau removes moles, cysts and skin lumps for children and young people at Evelina London Children's Hospital. Anything removed can be sent for analysis, and the work is planned to leave the smallest possible scar.
Know when a mole or lump needs checking
Some moles and lumps are harmless
You have spotted a new mole, a small lump, or a mark on your child's skin that looks different, and your first thought is whether it matters. Or perhaps a GP or another doctor has raised a concern.
Moles, also called naevi, are clusters of pigment cells, and they are common in children. Most stay the same for years, some change.
Some children are born with a mole, this is called a congenital melanocytic naevus, it can vary in size texture colour position. Other may develop a new one. Some like a Spitz naevus, may raise concerns. We can discuss whether removal is necessary and the best way to treat.
When should a mole or lump be checked?
Some marks are worth having looked at. A mole that is changing in size, shape or colour, one that bleeds, itches or catches and gets sore, or one that looks quite different from your child's other moles, should be seen.
It is also worth checking a lump under the skin that is growing, such as a cyst or a fatty lump called a lipoma.
Checking a mole or lump early is usually about getting clear reassurance, not assuming something is wrong.
How are moles and lumps assessed?
Moles and lumps are usually assessed before you are referred to me for removal. I do not carry out dermatoscope assessments myself. If a lump has already been checked with an ultrasound, please share the report with me. If not, I can help arrange an ultrasound at the hospital. If there is any doubt about whether a mole should be removed, I can also ask the dermatology team to assess it.
For more detail before you book, see the British Association of Dermatologists guidance on moles.
Not every mole or lump needs removing, and some are better left while your child grows.
If that is the case for your child, I will say so. Removing a mole always leaves a small scar, so it is only worth doing when there is a clear medical reason, when something needs to be confirmed, or when a mole genuinely bothers your child day to day.
At the consultation I give you an honest view, and I only recommend removal when it is genuinely the right thing for your child.
Choose a Surgeon for the Cases That Need One
- 13+
- Years across plastic surgery
- GMC
- Specialist Register
Miss Jana Torres-Grau
Consultant Paediatric Plastic Surgeon
Who does it and where
When something does need removing, who does it and where makes a real difference.
Removing the lesion and closing the skin carefully
As a children’s plastic surgeon, I am trained to remove a lesion and close the skin so the scar is as fine and well placed as it can be, which matters most on the face.
Proper surgical removal for deeper lumps
Cysts and deeper lumps like a lipoma often sit below the surface and need proper surgical removal rather than a surface treatment.
The hospital setting matters too
The setting matters as much as the surgeon. Your child is treated at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, so a young or anxious child can have the procedure under a safe general anaesthetic, with a full children’s team close by. If a lump ever turns out to be more than expected, the right specialists are already there.
See how removal and scarring are handled
Every removal is planned around your child, their age, and where the lesion is.
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Assessment
Step one, assessment. I examine the mole or lump, and we talk through whether removal is the right step and what it involves.
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Planning
Step two, planning. If we go ahead, I plan the method and the anaesthetic to suit your child. Older children often manage with local anaesthetic, while younger children may be better with a general anaesthetic.
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Removal
Step three, removal. The lesion is removed carefully, and the skin is closed to keep the scar as small and as hidden as possible.
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Results and aftercare
Step four, results and aftercare. Whatever is removed can be sent for analysis as agreed, and your child goes home the same day with clear instructions, and I follow up with the results and a check on healing.
Any skin procedure leaves some mark, and I am honest with you about that from the start. I aim for a scar that fades and sits in a natural line, which is where a plastic surgeon’s training counts. If your child has a scar that needs further attention, how we manage scars is a separate service we offer.
Understand what affects the cost
A first consultation with me is £250. At that appointment I examine your child, give you an honest view, and if removal is right, you receive a written quote for the procedure before you decide anything.
What you pay for removal depends on a few things: what the lesion is and how many there are, where it sits on the body, whether your child needs a local or general anaesthetic, and the hospital costs that go with the setting. The hospital publishes starting-from prices that give a useful guide, and your child’s exact price is confirmed in writing after the consultation.
- What the lesion is and how many there are
- Where it sits on the body
- Whether your child needs a local or general anaesthetic
- The hospital costs that go with the setting
Find out why families come to me
Children focus. I treat children and young people, from babies to the age of 18. Your child is the whole focus of the appointment.
A safe hospital setting. Removals happen at a children’s hospital, so a general anaesthetic, if it is needed, is given with a full children’s team on hand.
A surgeon’s eye for scars. As a plastic surgeon, I close the skin to keep the scar as fine and well placed as it can be.
Analysed and followed up. You see me for the results and the healing check, not a different person each time.
Clear answers before you decide
Open any question to read more. At consultation, Miss Torres-Grau will explain the safest and most appropriate option for your child.
Are moles in children usually dangerous?
No, in the large majority of cases they are harmless. Skin cancer in children is rare, and most childhood moles stay the same for years. It is worth having a mole checked if it changes in size, shape or colour, bleeds, itches, or looks different from your child's other moles.
Can you remove a cyst or a fatty lump as well?
Yes. As well as moles, I remove cysts, lipomas, skin tags and other lumps and growths in children. These often sit deeper under the skin and need proper surgical removal, which is the kind of work a plastic surgeon does.
Can a mole grow back after it is removed?
Sometimes a small amount can return if any was left behind, which is one reason removal is done carefully and the tissue is sent for analysis. If anything does come back, it can be looked at again and dealt with.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
You do not need a GP referral to see me privately, though one is useful if your child has already been seen. If you are not sure, just ask when you get in touch, and we will tell you what is needed.
How long will my child take to recover?
Most children are back to normal quickly, often within a day or two, with some care needed where the lesion was removed. I give you clear aftercare instructions and a follow-up to check that healing is on track.
How much does children's mole removal cost in London?
A first consultation is £250, and the procedure is quoted after that appointment, once I have seen your child. The cost depends on the lesion, where it sits, and whether a local or general anaesthetic is needed.
Book a lump,cyst or mole removal consultation
Fill in the form and the team will be in touch, usually the same day. There is no obligation, and I will always give you an honest view of whether lump, cyst or mole removal is the right choice for your child.
- We aim to reply the same day
- A GP referral is not needed, though helpful if you have one
- Consultations in English and Spanish
- Honest advice on whether ear correction surgery is right for your child, and the best age to consider it
Send us a message
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Take the long view on your child's skin.
Some moles never need touching. When one does need removing, who does it and how the skin is closed is what your child will see for the rest of their life. If you would like a clear, honest view on a mole, cyst or lump, I am glad to help.
Miss Jana Torres-Grau · Evelina London Children's Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH
