Moles & Growths Removal And Treatments
While skin growths can be non-cancerous, they can lead to aesthetic issues and even cause functional problems and pain. In case a growth is malignant, its removal promptly is crucial for the patient’s well-being.
Excisional surgery is an effective and safe technique to eliminate unwanted growth. These growths could be either malignant or benign.
During the pre-op consultation, the dermatologist will answer all questions about the surgery regarding unwanted growths and moles to enable them to make a well-informed choice. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness provides mole and growth removal procedures to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding locations.
Types of Excisional Surgeries
A patient may consider skin lesion or growth removal depending on its location and nature of the growth. Aesthetic distress is a valid reason for growth removal. In a majority of cases, abnormal skin lesions and growths can be removed under the effect of local anesthesia. This surgery is usually an outpatient procedure.
Shave Removal
The surgeon can recommend a shave removal if the patient has a raised growth such as elevated moles. The surgeon will inject a local anesthetic under the growth to reduce discomfort. Then they will excise the growth using a highly sharp razor along the surface of the skin. The cut is insignificant with no need for sutures. The surgical site may experience slight scarring and redness.
Snip Excision
The surgeon may suggest a snip excision or scissor excision if the lesion is raised such as in the case of skin tags. The surgeon will administer a local anesthetic before firmly securing the growth with forceps and lightly pull it away from the body.
Then they will use a set of curved scissors to snip away the growth delicately. The surgeon will cut both around and under the growth. This procedure does not warrant sutures, and the scarring is insignificant.
Full Excision
The surgeon will recommend a full excision procedure in case the growth has gone deep into the dermis levels, or the tumor is cancerous. This procedure typically warrants local anesthesia. The surgeon will first place an elliptical incision surrounding the lesion that penetrates the fatty tissue beneath the growth to excise it entirely.
The surgeon will usually use a margin of healthy tissue surrounding the edges of the growth. Subsequently, a pathological assessment of the excised tissue will be conducted to establish whether all the abnormal cells have been eliminated. The recovery duration for a full excision varies between patients dependent on the location and size of the lesion.
Excising a melanoma in pre-metastatic stages is typically an effective method to destroy the malignant cells. Only a well-qualified and highly trained surgeon and dermatologist should perform this surgical procedure. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and nearby areas.
Recovery
Moles and growth removal procedures may often require minimal to no downtime. Patients should follow the surgeon’s guidelines to protect the wound against infection for a safe and easy recovery.
If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)
Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.