Benign Lesion (Lipoma, Cyst, Haemangiona, Xanthelasma, Comedones, Granuloma)

Dermatology Referral Criteria

Referral of patients with benign tumours may be appropriate under the following circumstances:

• Diagnostic doubt or concerns over possible malignancy 
• If there is no diagnostic doubt and the lesion is causing significant functional disability or recurrent trauma/infection, then please refer to your locality minor surgery service (see Refhelp page on Minor Surgery). Benign lesions in cosmetically sensitive sites where aesthetic outcome is very important to the patient (e.g. face) should be referred to the Plastic Surgeons if removal is justified.
• Benign lesions which are disfiguring or are cosmetically sensitive should be referred to plastics through the EARP (see AestheticSurgery.aspx).

Kindly inform patients prior to referral that if a skin lesion is diagnosed as benign, it highly unlikely to be removed in secondary care for cosmetic reasons alone

Please do not refer lesions that are known to be benign to the dermatology department for cryotherapy.