Medical dictionary

What is a liquid facelift? A liquid facelift, sometimes referred to as a ‘Y lift’ is a non-surgical procedure that aims to reduce the signs of ageing by restoring the natural contours and curves of the face. A liquid facelift works by injecting dermal fillers into specific parts of the face and is considered to achieve natural and subtle results.   Why would you do i

What is lymphoedema? Lymphoedema is a chronic condition characterised by swelling in the tissues of the body along with fluid retention, as the body is unable to drain lymph fluid. The most commonly affected areas are the legs and arms, though it can occur anywhere in the body. What are the symptoms of lymphoedema? The symptoms of lymphoedema include: Swelling in part, or all, o

What is macroglossia?Macroglossia is the medical term used to describe an unusually large tongue. This usually occurs due to an increase in tissue, rather than a growth. It may also be referred to as giant tongue or enlarged tongue.  PrognosisMacroglossia is a rare disorder that is usually found in children. Sufferers of macroglossia can receive tongue reduction surgery and continue to l

What is a mastectomy? A mastectomy is a surgical procedure performed using general anaesthetic that removes an entire breast. This is used to treat breast cancer and often involves removing most of the breast tissue, skin and the nipple. Depending on where the cancer is present, a single or double mastectomy will be performed. Mastectomy is often followed by breast reconstruction surgery. 

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that forms from the skin cells called melanocytes, which give the skin its pigment. This type of skin cancer can also be called malignant melanoma and is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, with a mortality rate of around 20 per cent if the cancer goes undetected.   What causes melanoma? Melanoma is most often caused by over-exposure to

What is Merkel cell carcinoma?   Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a very rare type of skin cancer that forms when malignant (cancerous) Merkel cells produce a tumour on the skin. It is also known as neuroendocrine carcinoma or trabecular cancer.   This disease most commonly originates in skin that has been exposed to the sun, particularly the face, neck, arms, and legs. Merkel

What is mesotherapy? Mesotherapy is an aesthetic medical treatment that stimulates cell regeneration through the infiltration of different active ingredients to achieve firmer and more elastic skin. It can be performed on the face to give it a rejuvenated look, or on various areas of the body to reshape and stylise the figure. Active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma and

What is a micrograft hair transplant? A micrograft hair transplant or follicular transplant is an aesthetic technique for repopulating the scalp with hair in areas where there is alopecia or intense hair loss. Using the patient's own hair for a more natural result, it is performed under local anaesthesia. The main advantage of this treatment is that the patient is the donor and there i

What is microsurgery? Microsurgery covers any procedure that involves the use of a specialised operating microscope and precision instrumentation to perform complex, small-scale operations. Microsurgery techniques represent a great advance over traditional surgical methods, where large incisions and bone openings were often necessary, and some conditions were simply impossible to treat becau