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Benign Skin Lesions
Surgery |
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If you are considering removal or correction of skin lesions, such as
moles, cysts or tags, then you may have a few questions you would like
answered.
You may choose to remove a skin lesion for a number of reasons:
- To stop discomfort caused by rubbing on clothing
- To remove a blemish on the face which you find unsightly
- To enhance the aesthetic appearance of your body
- To answer the question of whether it is safe to keep or not
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What is a skin tag? |
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A skin tag, or papilloma, refers to a benign epithelial lesion of the
skin. Cutaneous tags are very common, and often occur during mid-life. They
are tiny skin outgrowths and may have small, narrow stalks connecting the
protrusion to the skin's surface. They usually do not cause discomfort,
unless irritated by clothes or jewelry. It is not known how they originate,
but treatment is usually not necessary unless the tags are irritating or
unsightly due to a prominent location. |
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What is a sebaceous cyst?
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Sebaceous cysts originate from blocked oil glands in the skin. They can
be found on most areas of the body. They generally are round and often have
punctum which is visible on the skin. The cysts can exude a sticky white
material when squeezed, and when infected they can become red and tender.
Sebaceous cysts are primarily a cosmetic problem or a nuisance when formed
in places on the body that are easily irritated, like the armpit or inside
of the leg. Sebaceous cysts are benign and do not develop into cancer. |
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What are seborrheic keratoses? |
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These are the most common skin lesions and though the exact cause of
seborrheic keratoses is unknown, they tend to appear most on sun-exposed
areas in older patients. Patients can often develop many of these lesions,
most commonly on the neck, face, and torso. Seborrheic keratoses usually
have a brown/tan color, with defined edges and a 'stuck-on' appearance.
They vary in texture and can be wart-like, crusty or smooth. Occasionally
the surface can flake or crumble, especially if they are rubbed or picked,
which can lead to bleeding and oozing. They can sometimes be mistaken for a
skin cancer or melanoma if they are irregular in form or have been
irritated. Seborrheic keratoses have no potential for malignancy and as
superficial lesions, they can be easily removed with little or no scarring. |
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I
have a skin tag on my neck that catches my jewelry. Is it easy to
have it removed? |
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Yes. With a simple local anesthetic,
small skin lesions can be removed in minutes. Stitches are not
always necessary and scars are usually very satisfactory. |
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I have a mole on my face that I would like removed for cosmetic reasons.
Will it leave a scar? |
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Any surgery on the skin will leave a scar, and scars are permanent.
However, when placed in the natural lines of the face, it may become
inconspicuous with time. It is wise to discuss facial surgery in detail with
an experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist in order to avoid
undesirable scarring.
In particular, be very cautious about having skin surgery if you have a
personal or family history of pathological scarring, such as keloids. Ask
your surgeon for more details about this condition as it is difficult to
treat once it has occurred.
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I have a soft lesion under the skin that I have been told is a 'fatty'
lump. Will removing it leave a big scar?
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Fatty lumps (lipomas) are very common. They vary in size, from a large
pea to an area larger than the palm of the hand. They may require an
ultrasound or other type of scan when they involve the deeper layers under
the skin, but in general can be diagnosed on examination by a surgeon.
Although normal excision methods may be required, at
Laser & Cosmetic surgery Centre we can use
liposuction to remove these lesions, which leaves a very small scar that is
often imperceptible.
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I have a history of sun exposure, and sustained severe sunburn as a
child. Am I at risk of skin cancer?
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Certain forms of skin cancer are more prevalent in patients whose skin
has received prolonged exposure to the sun. At the first sign of concern,
contact your doctor or plastic surgeon who will advise you about what signs
to look for. Have someone check your back occasionally, and do not wait to
see if things get better if you notice a lesion that does not seem to heal.
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