About Ien Chan
Specialty: consultant dermatologist with specialist interests in general skin disorders, skin cancer screening and treatment, HIV-associated skin diseases and male genital skin conditions
Conditions seen: acne, acne scarring, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, skin cancer, moles, warts, skin lumps and bumps, tinea capitis (scalp ringworm), male genital skin conditions, HIV-associated skin diseases
Tests, treatments and procedures: mole check, shave biopsy, excisional biopsy, skin surgery, excision of a skin lesion, curettage and cautery of lesions, cryotherapy for skin lesions, lumps and bumps removal surgery, wart treatment, scar treatment
Often consulted by patients with: acne or acne scarring, a mole or skin lesion needing assessment, a long-term inflammatory skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea, or a male genital skin condition
Patient ages seen: 13+
Also: runs a weekly penile dermatosis clinic at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital; consultant dermatologist at St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust for over ten years; research MD in the genetics of skin disease
Language: English
Dr Ien Chan is a consultant dermatologist at Welbeck's Dermatology centre in London, specialising in general skin disorders, with particular interests in HIV-associated skin disease and male genital skin conditions. His practice covers a wide range of conditions, including acne and acne scarring, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo and tinea capitis (a fungal infection of the scalp). He also provides skin cancer screening and assesses moles, warts, and skin lumps and bumps.
Dr Chan offers mole checks and skin biopsies to investigate suspicious lesions, including shave biopsies, which remove a thin layer of skin, and excisional biopsies, which remove the entire lesion for examination. His surgical treatments include removal of lumps and bumps, and curettage and cautery, where a lesion is scraped away and the area treated with heat. He also offers treatment for scars and cryotherapy alongside other treatments for warts.
Dr Chan's expertise in male genital dermatology is reflected in his role running a weekly specialist penile dermatosis clinic at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. One of the relatively few dedicated services in this field, the clinic provides specialist assessment and treatment for skin conditions affecting the penis.
His extensive clinical experience includes more than ten years as a consultant dermatologist at St Mary's Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, following specialist dermatology training at the St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Mary's Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Expertise
- Acne
- Skin Cancer
- Male Genital Skin Disorders
- Rosacea
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- General Dermatology
- HIV-associated Skin Diseases
- Skin Lesion Surgery
Overview
- Age of patients seen
- 13+
- Qualifications
Dr Chan trained in dermatology at St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Mary's Hospital, and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. His research into the role of extracellular matrix protein 1 in human skin, carried out with the Genetic Skin Disease Group at King's College London, led to a research MD degree.
Qualifications:
MD, King's College London
- Languages spoken
- English
- Research highlights
Dr Chan's research has focused on the role of extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1), a protein involved in maintaining the structure and function of the skin. Working with the Genetic Skin Disease Group at King's College London, he investigated its involvement in inherited and inflammatory skin conditions, leading to a research MD degree and publications in leading dermatology and medical journals.
His published work also includes studies into the genetic causes of lipoid proteinosis, a rare inherited condition affecting the skin and other tissues, and the role of antibodies against ECM1 in lichen sclerosus. This includes research into male genital lichen sclerosus. He has also co-authored a clinical review of balanoposthitis, an inflammation affecting the head of the penis and foreskin.
Dr Chan has presented his research at national and international dermatology and scientific conferences, contributing to the understanding of rare genetic skin diseases and inflammatory skin conditions.
Key publications:
The role of extracellular matrix protein 1 in human skin. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2004;29(1):52–56. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2004.01440.x
Rapid diagnosis of lipoid proteinosis using an anti-extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) antibody. J Dermatol Sci. 2004;35(2):151–153. DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2004.03.010
Development of antigen-specific ELISA for circulating autoantibodies to extracellular matrix protein 1 in lichen sclerosus. J Clin Invest. 2004;113(11):1550–1559. DOI: 10.1172/JCI20373
Molecular basis of lipoid proteinosis in a Libyan family. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2003;28(5):545–548. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2230.2003.01341.x
Autoantibodies to extracellular matrix protein 1 in lichen sclerosus. Lancet. 2003;362(9378):118–123. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13863-9
Common mutations in Arg304 of the p63 gene in ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, clefting syndrome: lack of genotype-phenotype correlation and implications for mutation detection strategies. J Invest Dermatol.2002;119(5):1202–1203. DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.19526.x
Extracellular matrix protein 1 gene (ECM1) mutations in lipoid proteinosis and genotype-phenotype correlation. J Invest Dermatol. 2003;120(3):345–350. DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2003.12073.x
Characterization of IgG autoantibodies to extracellular matrix protein 1 in lichen sclerosus. Clin Exp Dermatol.2004;29(5):499–504. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2004.01573.x
Clinical and molecular characterization of lipoid proteinosis in Namaqualand, South Africa. Br J Dermatol.2004;151(2):413–423. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.06076.x
An Indian child with lipoid proteinosis resulting from a recurrent frameshift mutation (507delT) in the extracellular matrix protein 1 gene. Br J Dermatol. 2004;151(3):726–727. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.06159.x
The molecular basis of lipoid proteinosis: mutations in extracellular matrix protein 1. Exp Dermatol.2007;16(11):881–890. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2007.00608.x
Balanoposthitis review. BMJ Evidence Centre, Point of Care online resource, 2009.
Extracellular matrix protein 1 autoantibodies in male genital lichen sclerosus. Br J Dermatol. 2011;165(1):218–219. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10326.x
- Professional memberships
British Association of Dermatologists
British Medical Association
Royal College of Physicians
Royal Society of Medicine
- Certifications and Awards
Insurers covered
Tests & treatments
Locations
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Frequently asked questions
Male genital skin conditions affecting the penis and scrotum are common. However, many men delay seeking help because of embarrassment or uncertainty about where to turn for advice. Dr Chan is an expert in diagnosing and treating male genial skin conditions. You may wish to see him for an assessment if you are experiencing persistent or recurring symptoms such as redness, itching, soreness, irritation, changes in skin colour or texture, or patches that do not heal. These symptoms can have several causes, and a specialist assessment can help establish a diagnosis and guide treatment.
Dr Chan offers a range of procedures to remove skin lesions, including moles, warts, cysts and other skin lumps and bumps. The most suitable approach depends on the type, size and location of the lesion, whether it is causing symptoms and whether further investigation is needed.
Options include surgical excision to remove a lesion completely, curettage and cautery, which involves scraping away a lesion and using heat to treat the area, and cryotherapy, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze certain skin lesions, including warts. If further investigation is needed, the removed tissue can be sent to a laboratory for examination to help confirm a diagnosis.
During your consultation, Dr Chan will assess the lesion, explain whether removal is recommended and discuss the most appropriate procedure, including any need for laboratory analysis and the potential for scarring.
Yes. Dr Chan sees patients aged 13 and over and can assess teenagers experiencing acne, including persistent breakouts or concerns about scarring.
Treatment recommendations take account of the type and severity of acne, any treatments already tried and its impact on the young person's skin and confidence. Early assessment can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of lasting acne scars.
Yes. Dr Chan offers skin cancer screening and assessment of suspicious moles and skin lesions. You should arrange an appointment if you notice a new or changing mole, a growth that looks unusual, or a patch of skin that bleeds, crusts or doesn't heal.
During your consultation, Dr Chan will examine the affected area and assess whether further investigation is needed. If a lesion is suspicious, he may recommend a skin biopsy or surgical removal so the tissue can be examined in a laboratory to confirm a diagnosis and guide any further treatment.