Dr Hilmi Recica

Dr Hilmi Recica is a Consultant Dermatologist with over 20 years of specialist experience, with a particular focus on skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, Mohs micrographic surgery, staged Mohs micrographic (“slow Mohs”) surgery, advanced skin imaging and complex dermatological surgery.

He has extensive experience in the assessment and management of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma and other complex skin cancers, including tumours affecting cosmetically and functionally sensitive areas such as the face.

Skin Cancer & Micrographic Surgery

A principal area of Dr Recica’s practice is specialist skin cancer surgery, including Mohs micrographic surgery and staged Mohs micrographic (“slow Mohs”) surgery, where clinically appropriate.

These micrographic surgical techniques enable careful assessment of tumour margins during the surgical treatment process and can be particularly valuable for selected high-risk, recurrent, ill-defined or anatomically sensitive skin cancers, where complete tumour removal and preservation of surrounding healthy tissue are important.

Dr Recica combines specialist dermatological diagnosis with advanced surgical techniques, with particular attention to tumour control, tissue preservation and functional and cosmetic outcomes.

Advanced Skin Imaging & Reflectance Confocal Microscopy

Dr Recica has a particular specialist interest in the assessment of suspicious pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions, using advanced diagnostic technologies alongside clinical examination and dermoscopy. His diagnostic practice includes:

·      Dermoscopy and digital dermoscopy

·      Digital mole monitoring

·      Total-body photography

·      FotoFinder imaging

·      Vectra imaging

·      Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM)

Reflectance confocal microscopy is a non-invasive, high-resolution imaging technique that enables selected skin lesions to be examined at a cellular level. It can be particularly useful in the assessment of facial pigmented lesions, including lesions suspicious for lentigo maligna, and may assist with diagnostic assessment, lesion mapping, monitoring and treatment planning where appropriate.

The combination of advanced imaging, specialist dermatological assessment and micrographic surgery enables Dr Recica to provide an integrated approach to selected complex skin cancer cases, from initial assessment and diagnosis through to definitive treatment.

Advanced Dermatological & Skin Cancer Surgery

Dr Recica performs a range of specialist dermatological surgical procedures, including:

·      Mohs micrographic surgery

·      Staged Mohs micrographic (“slow Mohs”) surgery

·      Skin cancer excision

·      Diagnostic skin biopsies

·      Excision of suspicious skin lesions

·      Mole and benign skin lesion removal

·      Complex dermatological surgery

·      Surgical management of selected recurrent and difficult-to-treat skin cancers

Particular attention is given to preservation of healthy tissue and appropriate functional and cosmetic outcomes, especially when treating lesions on the face and other anatomically sensitive sites.

Laser, IPL & Advanced Light-Based Treatments

In addition to his specialist skin cancer and surgical practice, Dr Recica provides selected laser and light-based dermatological treatments, following appropriate clinical assessment. These may include:

·      Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

·      CO₂ laser

·      Other dermatological laser techniques where clinically appropriate

Treatment is selected according to the clinical indication, diagnosis, skin type and individual patient circumstances, with appropriate consideration of expected benefits, limitations and risks.

Specialist Training & Clinical Experience

Dr Recica completed his specialist dermatology training in London and the West Midlands, followed by advanced training in Mohs micrographic surgery in Cardiff. He has undertaken further specialist training and professional development in the United States with the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) in San Diego and the American Society for Mohs Surgery (ASMS) in Houston, together with specialist training and professional development in dermatological and micrographic surgery in the UK (BSDS) and Europe (ESMS). 

He has worked in major UK dermatology and skin cancer centres, including the Royal Free Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and University Hospital of Wales. He has also held senior clinical leadership positions including Clinical Lead, Skin Cancer Lead and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Lead, with extensive experience in specialist skin cancer services and multidisciplinary management of complex cases.

Clinical Approach

Dr Recica combines specialist skin cancer expertise, advanced diagnostic imaging and precision dermatological surgery. His practice is particularly focused on patients with suspicious or changing skin lesions, complex and recurrent skin cancers, facial skin cancers, and lesions requiring advanced diagnostic assessment or specialised surgical management.

He takes a careful, patient-centred approach, providing clear explanations of the diagnosis and appropriate treatment options. Where surgery is required, particular attention is given to complete tumour removal, preservation of healthy tissue and the best achievable functional and cosmetic outcome.