Removal skin tumors and moles (fatty tumors, lipomas)

Moles

Moles are dark spots or irregularities of the skin that come in many shapes and sizes. Some people are born with moles, but other moles appear over time. Sun exposure plays a role in the development of moles. Moles are very common and are almost always benign, but their appearance may be bothersome to some people. Furthermore, some moles are associated with dangerous health risks.

Skin Tumors

Skin tumors are abnormal tissue growths that can be cancerous (malignant) or harmless (benign). Types of skin tumors include warts, nevi (skin growths such as moles and birthmarks), and seborrheic keratoses (noncancerous skin growths ranging from light to dark brown in color). The development of skin tumors is usually based on heredity.

Removal of Moles and Skin Tumors

There are three methods used to remove skin tumors and moles: surgical excision, cryosurgery, and curettage/electrodesiccation. Prior to performing a mole or skin tumor removal procedure, we will cleanse the treatment area and apply an anesthetic.

If the growth is to be removed with the cutterage method, the surgeon will take a scalpel and shave it off. An electrical instrument will then be used to cauterize (burn) the area. The wound will then be treated with a topical antibiotic and covered with a bandage.

During cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen is sprayed directly onto the skin or an instrument is used to freeze the tissue off. During surgical excision, the doctor will cut into your skin, remove the growth, and close the wound with stitches.

After the Procedure

After the procedure, antibiotic ointment and a bandage will be applied the wound. We recommend patients to use an antibiotic salve that does not include neomycin, a chemical that is known to cause allergic reactions. The wound should be cleaned once or twice a day using water or diluted hydrogen peroxide.