Introduction > Plastic surgery > Skin lesion and tumour surgery
Skin lesion and tumour surgery
Removing benign skin lesions
Moles are commonly known as dark spots or irregularity in the skin. Some people are born with moles, and others appear over time. They are usually benign (non-cancerous) but some moles prove to be a melanoma, or skin cancer when a biopsy is done. It is best to come and see our specialist if your mole changes shape or size, is irregularly shaped, asymmetrical, protrudes, itches, becomes painful or bleeds.
Moles are generally formed in young adults to adults 40 years of age. Moles can be removed for a variety of reasons, including aesthetic reasons to improve appearance or reducing discomfort from a mole rubbing against clothing or having been shaved over, for example on a man's face or a woman's leg. There are more serious reasons why a mole needs to be removed, for example if melanoma or skin cancer is suspected. Some melanomas begin in the form of a mole. If caught early, the melanoma may be removed completely, therefore reducing the risk of further skin cancer.
There are a number of methods used to remove moles, and they include:
An excision with stitches: The mole is cut out to its full depth and then the wound is sutured. This procedure is common for irregular moles that are suspected to be cancerous and moles that are flat and flush with the skin surface.
An excision with cauterization: The mole is burned away using a cautery tool. Stitches are not required for this procedure as the wound is burn-sutured, and will heal naturally.
In all the procedures, scarring is usually minimal. Ranging from a thin, white or pink line if sutures were used to a white oval where the mole once was, you can minimize the scar darkening by using sunscreen of 15 or more. The final shape and colour of the scar will be formed after 6 to 8 weeks.
There is very little or no pain during the procedures themselves. After local anesthetic has worn off, the area may be tender and red. After the procedures not involving sutures, a scab will form on the surface where the mole was and should fall off in one to two weeks. The redness around the area should disappear within four weeks. The area will be covered with a bandage and you will be advised to avoid getting the area wet or moist to decrease the threat of infection, delayed healing or other possible complications.
All moles and skin tissue we remove, even benign-looking ones, we send to pathology for microscopic examination. This examination, results of which we give you, helps to tell whether the mole is harmless or whether you should have more bordering tissue removed.
Removing malignant skin tumours
The skin is the body's largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. Due to the decrease in the Ozone layer, direct sunlight poses a greater threat to humans and causes more cancerous skin deformities than previously predicted. The most common malignant skin tumour is called melanoma. Melanoma occurs when the pigment cells in the skin become malignant.
Melanoma is one of the most common cancers. The chance of developing it increases with age, but this disease affects people of all ages. It can occur on any skin surface. In men, melanoma is often found on the area between the shoulders and the hips or the head and neck. In women, it often develops on the lower legs.
Since early detection and removal is the best way to cure melanoma, you can participate actively in your own care by self-examination. Signs of concern include a mole's recent change in appearance, size, shape or color, irregularity in color, loss of a uniform border, asymmetry (inequality on either side of a line drawn down the middle), bleeding or the notching of a border. If you notice one of these, visit ART MEDIC Surgery and have it checked by our specialist.
Melanomas can be removed effectively and without major scars in the early stages by our experienced surgeon. The best treatment is a minor surgery, when the melanoma is cut out to its full depth and with clear edges, and then the wound is sutured. The procedure takes approximately 15-30 minutes and is carried out under local anaesthetic.
After the procedure, you can expect to feel some discomfort, some swelling, bruising and redness. It is important for you to follow your surgeon's after care recommendations. The sutures will be removed within one to two weeks after the surgery. Our surgeons generally insist on avoiding any activity that places undue stress on the area of the incision. It is important to remember that scar tissues require a year or more to fully heal and achieve maximum improved appearance.
