REMOVAL OF SKIN LUMPS, BUMPS, LESIONS, SKIN TAGS ETC

There are many skin lesions (mole, wart, skin tag or other)  – commonly patients ask to check and remove. At VISTA Clinic Australia we have few machines and highly trained and experienced doctors to ensure that least traumatic, safest and most effective way for your individual mole is used. 

Most moles are not cancerous, but it is vital to check prior to removal (if cancer caught early – it is much better prognosis). All suspected  moles/lesions will be sent to biopsy. 

Some skin lesions are not accidental and may represent some genetic disorder or chronic disease you are not yet diagnosed. VISTA clinic Melbourne doctor will discuss with you what kind of lesion you have, what may be underlying cause and best way to treat, if needed.

What are types of skin lesions? 

Moles – dark, usually small lesions, can appear anywhere in the body. 

Dermatofibroma – firm and raised with a central scar lesion of light, brown, red or purple color. Most common cause if dermatofibroma is some kind of damage to the skin, which took long to heal – like acne, ingrown hair, cut, trauma etc. It’s not cancer. 

Skin tag – excess of the skin, folded into lumps. Can be anywhere and different sizes. Commonly found around pressure and chronic irritation sites of the body. Acantosis nigricans  – it’s skin tags around neck and under armpits can be associated with underlying risk of diabetes (insulin resistance), thyroid and other conditions.

Wart – scally growing fleshy bump, commonly growing on hands, feet and genitalia. More dangerous types can be in cervix (most common cause of cervical cancer, but easily treatable if caught early during screening). All warts caused by Papilloma virus.

Keratoacanthoma – firm, scaly core lump on sun exposed areas, which is rapidly-growing. Keratoacanthomas can look similar to the common skin cancer called squamous cell carcinomas, so they usually need to be removed to biopsy and making sure it’s safe.

Seborrhoeic keratosis – usually look scary, but they are benign, never turn into cancer. “like sultana on the skin”. Grey, black or brown raised lesions. They’re more common as you get older.

Pyogenic granuloma – these are small, bright red nodules that often develop after an injury. They tend to bleed easily, and it’s often recommended that they’re removed.

Sebaceous cysts – cyst under the skin, filled with fluid. As they can become infected, advised to removed, but they are benign in nature.

When skin lesions needs to be removed? 

Skin cancer or suspicious– red flags are:

• growing lesion or lump
• more than 6 mm in size
• assymetrical (in terms of few colors or patters)
• irregular borders
• bleeding
• ulcer or rash which is not healing despite a treatment

 needs to be checked with your doctor (GP, cosmetic physician, dermatologist). Removal (excision) or biopsy would be arranged. The result is available usually within couple of days 

Causing discomfort or problems

Harmless lesions may be repetitively infected, inflamed, irritated, in the rubbery areas, painful or other symptoms. 

Cosmetically undesirable

Such lesions removal is not covered by Medicare or insurance and the patients required to pay privately.  

How skin lesions can be removed? 

Complete wide skin excision 

If suspicion of cancer or tricky location of the lesion – your doctor can remove the lesion completely with sufficient edges using RF, electroscalpel or scalpel, under local anaesthetic. Wound is closed with stichers, glue, your own hair or strips.

Partial removal (shave biopsy, incomplete excision)

Lesions sticking out from your skin can be removed with less edges, which provides more cosmetically acceptable and tidy results. Usually used for lesions, not suspicious for cancer. At VISTA Clinic Australia Melbourne we use a number of machines to assist with less traumatic and safe skin lesions removal.

Heat treatment (electrocautery) 

Perfect for lesions with a bleeding or infection potential. Heat coagulated blood vessels, stopping any bleeding and also heat has a strong antibacterial and antiviral properties. At VISTA Clinic Australia Melbourne we commonly combine electrocautery with other methods for best results.

Cold treatment (Cryotherapy) 

Liquid nitrogen is a form of extremely cold gas which at the temperature below -196 C turns into liquid. Unique properties are used widely in medicine – focal application of the liquid nitrogen to the lesion for about 5-10 seconds is a form of freezing burn. The lesion then forms a blister and fall off in few days – up to 2 weeks. In most cases, few cycles are required weekly or bi-weekly.
Most commonly used for plantar and palms warts, actinic keratosis (permanent scaly sun damage) and beauty treatments.

Creams and gels

There are few very strong, prescription only medications, which needs to be applied every day for few weeks that clear the skin by peeling off old damaged skin and then new, clear skin is growing.

Cooping away or curettage 

Cystic lesions or deep warts with “roots” can be cleaned out using a special “spoon”. Usually doctor combine curettage with freezing or heat applications.

Laser skin lesions removal 

Laser works similar to heat removal (electrocautery), however some lasers are pretty unique. At VISTA Clinic Australia we particularly enjoy using green laser – when it affects only red color, but intact to other skin structures. This is an elegant and quick way to get rid of  unwanted blood vessels, teleangictasia and rosacea.