Breast Suspected Cancer Referral - Homerton University Hospital

LOCAL CONTACT DETAILSIf you wish to discuss any clinical issues concerning this referral please contact:Dr Richard Bull Consultant Dermatologist 020 8510 7690Dr Portia Goldsmith Consultant Dermatologist 020 8510 7690Dr Virginia Hubbard Consultant Dermatologist 020 8510 7388If you wish to discuss any other aspect of this referral please contact theCancer Referral Office on 020 8510 5099CRITERIA FOR URGENT SUSPECTED CANCER REFERRAL 1Please FAX the referral form within 24 hoursRefer a patient presenting with skin lesions suggestive of skin cancer or in whom a biopsy hasconfirmed skin cancer to a team specialising in skin cancer.Please do not use the proforma for non urgent referralsRefer the patient by means of a routine referral letterMelanomaChange is a key element in diagnosing malignant melanoma. Be aware of and use the 7-pointweighted checklist for assessment of pigmented skin lesions.Major features of lesions: Minor features of lesions:~ change in size ~ largest diameter 7 mm or more ~ oozing~ irregular shape ~ inflammation ~ change in sensation~ irregular colourLesions scoring 3 points or more (based on major features scoring 2 points each and minorfeatures scoring 1 point each) in the 7-point checklist above are suspicious. (If you stronglysuspect cancer any one feature is adequate to prompt urgent referral.) If in doubt referurgently.Investigations• Send all skin specimens for pathological examination• If you have excised a lesion diagnosed as malignant melanoma, send a copy of thepathology report with the referral correspondence

1 Based on Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer (NICE, 2005) Notes in grey refer to the evidence grading usedin the NICE guidelines, for more information see www.nice.org.uk/cg027NICEguideline