Concierge dermatology + clinical genetics · London
Skin cancer genetics clinic, genetic risk assessment and personalised surveillance for melanoma-prone families.
A clinic for people with a personal or family history of melanoma, more than one primary skin cancer, or atypical mole syndrome (FAMMM). It offers genetic counselling, CDKN2A and BAP1 testing where indicated, and a surveillance plan built for you.
Key facts
- 01
Definition
A genetic assessment and surveillance clinic for people and families at higher risk of melanoma.
- 02
Team
Consultant dermatology working alongside clinical genetics.
- 03
Testing
CDKN2A, BAP1 and MITF testing where clinical criteria are met.
- 04
Family
Cascade testing offered to first- and second-degree relatives.
- 05
Plan
A personalised, written surveillance plan tailored to your genotype and phenotype.
- 06
Complement
Sits alongside mole mapping — the two answer different questions.
The problem
Melanoma-prone families need more than a mole check.
A single mole appointment answers a single question. A family with multiple primary melanomas, uveal melanoma or a suspicious pedigree needs a genotype, a surveillance plan and a way to bring relatives into the pathway.
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Multiple primary melanomas?
We arrange dermatology and clinical genetics together, with appropriate gene testing.
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Uveal melanoma in the family?
We assess for BAP1 syndrome and coordinate ophthalmology and abdominal surveillance.
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Suspicious pedigree?
A three-generation family tree, counselling, and cascade testing for at-risk relatives.
The journey
From first consultation to surveillance plan — what happens, in order.
Dermatology and clinical genetics, coordinated end to end.
Phase 1 · Before
History and pedigree preparation
Phase 2 · In clinic
Counselling, pedigree, testing
Phase 3 · After
Plan and cascade testing
- 01
Before
Dermatology + clinical genetics consultation
A joint or coordinated appointment with a consultant dermatologist and clinical geneticist.
- 02
Before
Personal and family cancer history
A structured review of every skin cancer, uveal melanoma and related malignancy in your family.
- 03
In clinic
Three-generation pedigree
Your family tree is drawn to three generations — the foundation for interpreting any genetic test.
- 04
In clinic
Genetic counselling
A conversation about what the tests can and cannot tell you, and the implications for you and your family.
- 05
In clinic
Blood test (CDKN2A / BAP1 / MITF)
A single blood sample. Which genes are tested depends on your history — not everyone needs the full panel.
- 06
After
Structured surveillance plan
A written plan: how often you are seen, which specialists, which imaging, which self-checks.
- 07
After
Cascade testing offered
Once a variant is identified, at-risk relatives are offered testing through the same clinic.
Typical read time: 5 minutes. Full pathway: weeks, not months.
What it finds
What the clinic is looking for.
The genetics clinic answers a specific question — is there an inherited pattern that changes how you and your relatives should be watched. These are the findings we most commonly encounter.
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CDKN2A pathogenic variant
The commonest high-penetrance melanoma predisposition gene — lifetime melanoma risk up to 70%.
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BAP1 tumour predisposition syndrome
Uveal and cutaneous melanoma, mesothelioma, renal cell and other malignancies — needs multi-organ surveillance.
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MITF variant
Increased risk of melanoma and renal cell carcinoma — a lower-penetrance but important finding.
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Xeroderma pigmentosum
A rare DNA-repair disorder with extreme UV sensitivity — needs lifelong photoprotection and expert oversight.
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Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma (FAMMM)
Multiple atypical naevi with a strong family history of melanoma — often, but not always, CDKN2A-linked.
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Multiple primary melanoma pattern
Two or more primary melanomas in one person raises the probability of an underlying genetic driver.
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Uveal melanoma family risk
Uveal melanoma in the family — particularly with mesothelioma — is a hallmark of BAP1 syndrome.
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Red flag: BAP1 with mesothelioma family — MDT
Requires urgent multi-disciplinary review, ophthalmology and abdominal surveillance.
Surveillance and management
What a personalised surveillance plan looks like.
The elements a plan draws on — combined and calibrated to your genotype, phenotype and family history.
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3–6 monthly skin surveillance
The cornerstone of care — regular dermatologist review at an interval calibrated to your risk.
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Total body photography + mole mapping
Sequential imaging so new or changing lesions are caught early. Sits alongside — not instead of — clinic review.
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Photoprotection intensification
Behavioural, clothing and SPF optimisation, plus vitamin D monitoring to compensate.
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Vitamin D optimisation
Bloods and supplementation, so aggressive photoprotection does not translate into deficiency.
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Ophthalmology surveillance (uveal melanoma)
Annual dilated fundoscopy where uveal melanoma risk is raised — particularly in BAP1 carriers.
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Renal / abdominal imaging (BAP1)
Periodic MRI or ultrasound for renal cell carcinoma and mesothelioma screening in BAP1 families.
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Structured genetic counselling follow-up
Ongoing conversations as you, your family and the evidence base evolve.
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Multi-disciplinary team review
Complex cases discussed by dermatology, genetics, ophthalmology and oncology together.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Consultant dermatologists working with clinical geneticists and UKAS-accredited laboratories. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant dermatologists with a melanoma sub-specialty interest
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Consultant clinical geneticists with a cancer genetics remit
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UKAS-accredited genetics laboratories for CDKN2A, BAP1 and MITF
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MDT pathway to ophthalmology, oncology and abdominal imaging where indicated
Red flags
Findings that change the pathway.
Any one of these features tips the balance toward — or confirms — a genetics-led plan and multi-disciplinary review.
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CDKN2A carrier
Confirmed pathogenic variant — needs intensive surveillance and cascade testing.
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BAP1 carrier
Multi-organ risk — dermatology, ophthalmology, renal and mesothelioma surveillance.
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Xeroderma pigmentosum
Extreme UV sensitivity — specialist lifelong care and strict photoprotection.
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Multiple primary melanoma
Two or more primary melanomas — always warrants genetic assessment.
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Uveal melanoma in family
A red flag for BAP1 syndrome, especially with cutaneous melanoma or mesothelioma.
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Pancreatic cancer in melanoma family
CDKN2A families carry raised pancreatic cancer risk — informs surveillance discussions.
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Mesothelioma in family
Non-occupational mesothelioma in a melanoma family is a strong BAP1 flag.
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Nodular melanoma with Breslow > 4 mm
A thick primary at presentation escalates the urgency of oncology and genetic pathways.
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Post-transplant melanoma
Melanoma in an immunosuppressed transplant recipient — needs specialist multi-team review.
Sources and reviewers
Written from the guidelines, reviewed by clinicians.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30. Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, .
- 01 Reference
British Society of Cutaneous Allergy.
British Society of Cutaneous Allergy. - 02 Reference
Genomics England.
Genomics England. - 03 Reference
European Association of Dermato-Oncology.
European Association of Dermato-Oncology. - 04 Reference
American Academy of Dermatology.
American Academy of Dermatology.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about the skin cancer genetics clinic.
Quick answers on referral criteria, CDKN2A and BAP1, what the test involves, and how a negative result is interpreted.
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Who should be referred to a skin cancer genetics clinic?
Anyone with two or more primary melanomas, three or more melanomas in first- or second-degree relatives on the same side of the family, a personal or family history of uveal melanoma, or a family with melanoma alongside pancreatic cancer or mesothelioma.
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What is CDKN2A and why is it tested?
CDKN2A is the commonest high-penetrance melanoma predisposition gene. Pathogenic variants raise lifetime melanoma risk to as high as 70% and also increase pancreatic cancer risk — so identifying carriers changes surveillance for the individual and the family.
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What is BAP1 tumour predisposition syndrome?
A dominantly inherited condition where BAP1 variants raise the risk of uveal melanoma, cutaneous melanoma, mesothelioma, renal cell carcinoma and other cancers. Carriers need coordinated dermatology, ophthalmology and abdominal surveillance.
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What does the genetic test itself involve?
A single blood sample sent to an accredited genetics laboratory. Which genes are analysed — CDKN2A, BAP1, MITF or a broader panel — is decided in the counselling consultation on the basis of your personal and family history.
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Does a negative test mean my family is not at risk?
No. A negative result does not fully exclude an inherited predisposition — many familial melanoma clusters have no identified gene yet. Your surveillance plan is built on phenotype and family history as well as genotype.
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How is this different from mole mapping?
Mole mapping documents your moles over time to catch new or changing lesions. The genetics clinic answers a different question — why your risk is elevated in the first place — and shapes how often and how intensively you are watched.
Related tests
Looking for a different test?
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Mole mapping and melanoma
Sequential total-body photography for early detection of new or changing lesions.
Learn more -
Mole check
A single dermatologist-led review of a lesion or a set of moles.
Learn more -
Skin cancer prevention
Melanoma — risk factors, prevention, and when to be seen.
Learn more -
All tests
Browse every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more -
Acne
Related condition guide.
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Eczema
Related condition guide.
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Cryotherapy Treatment
Related treatment option.
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Curettage Cautery Lesions
Related treatment option.
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In practice, in London
Where skin cancer genetics clinic sits in a private London pathway
With skin cancer genetics clinic, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. The wait for skin cancer genetics clinic on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.
A private skin cancer genetics clinic pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For skin cancer genetics clinic specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
We’re careful about what a private pathway for skin cancer genetics clinic can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.