What is a nevus? For what purposes is it treated?
Nevus means “mole” are benign lesions formed by melanocyte cells that produce melanin pigment. It can be treated for different reasons. Moles on the face, body, arms, or legs can disturb the individual in terms of cosmetic and aesthetic appearance. In addition, these moles can be stuck while putting on or taking off clothes due to their location. Another reason is the suspicion of cancer. It is also recommended to remove moles that may be malignant.
Does removing moles increase the risk of cancer?
No. This situation is misunderstood by the public. The perception that “if a mole is excised, it spreads, it becomes cancer” is wrong. On the contrary, when moles with suspected cancer are removed, their treatment is done.
How do you know if a mole is benign or malignant?
The history and physical examination are extremely important. Asymmetrical, irregularly bordered, discolored, deformed, rapidly growing moles are at risk. In addition, a dermatoscopic examination by a dermatologist will also guide. Definitive diagnosis is made after removal of the mole which is sent for pathological examination.
How is the surgical treatment of moles done?
All surgical interventions should be performed under sterile conditions. Local anesthesia is applied to the area where the mole is. The numbness of the area is checked, the moles are removed with the help of a scalpel, the area is repaired with appropriate sutures. Although the procedure time varies according to the location and number of moles, it is approximately 15 minutes. The removed mole is sent for pathological examination when deemed necessary.
What is a lipoma? How is it diagnosed? For what purposes is it treated?
Lipomas are round or oval shaped adipose tissue formations that develop under the skin, are most likely benign, can move by touch, and do not grow rapidly. Although it can be in many places on the body, it is most common on the forehead, arms, chest, and abdomen. Physical examination is usually instructive. When in doubt and depending on its location, ultrasound or MR is helpful in diagnosis. It is benign, except for the very rare form of “liposarcoma”. If it does not cause any discomfort, it’s not an obligation to remove it. Also, there will be no problem after removing it. It can be taken if it is obvious from the outside, disturbs the individual cosmetically or if it causes pain.
How are lipomas treated?
Local anesthesia is applied to the area where the lipoma is located. The numbness of the area is checked, an elliptical incision is made with the help of a scalpel, lipoma is removed, the area is repaired with appropriate sutures. Process varies according to the location and number of lipomas but usually it takes an average of 15 minutes. Lipomas may rarely be very large and deeply located. In these cases, sedation or general anesthesia may be preferred in order to increase the comfort of the patient and the doctor. The removed lipoma is sent for pathological examination when deemed necessary.
What is a sebaceous cyst (epidermoid cyst)? How is it diagnosed? For what purposes is it treated?
Sebaceous cyst (epidermoid cyst) are usually painless, slow-growing and benign lesions located superficially under the skin, containing cheesy sebum, surrounded by a capsule. They are found on the scalp, face, back and trunk. Because of its superficial location, it is usually diagnosed by physical examination. It can be removed if it is obvious from the outside and disturbs the individual as cosmetically or if it starts to discharge from one point of the lesion.
How are sebaceous cysts treated?
Local anesthesia is applied to the area where the sebaceous cyst is located. The numbness of the area is checked, an elliptical incision is made with the help of a scalpel, the sebaceous cyst is removed, the area is repaired with appropriate sutures. It is extremely important to remove the sebaceous cyst together with its capsule, otherwise it is very likely to recur. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy may be considered before surgery for infected or abscessed cysts. Although process varies depending on the location, number of sebaceous cysts and whether the cysts are complicated or not, it takes an average of 15 minutes.
What is the recovery period after surgical treatment of moles, lipomas and sebaceous cysts?
Since the procedures are performed with local anesthesia, the recovery period is very short. The patient can return to his daily life after the procedure. A special tape is attached to the treated area and this strip is removed after 1 week. You can take a shower over these stripes 2 days after the procedure. After the procedure, when the effect of local anesthesia passes, there may be minimal pain, minimal edema or bruising depending on the area. If it happens, these pains respond well to painkillers (Aspirin is not recommended because it increases bleeding!), bruises and edema will pass in a very short time. Depending on the nature of the sutures used, stiches may need to be removed after an average of 1 week.
Will there be any scars after surgical treatment of moles, lipomas and sebaceous cysts?
Although the most appropriate stitches are used and the most suitable method is preferred, there will always be a scar. But with the right technique, this scar is minimal. This scar may be evident in the first 1-3 months after the procedure. With proper wound care, the right cream, the use of sunscreen on sun-exposed areas, and waiting for the time needed for wound healing physiology, the visibility of these scars will be imperceptible.
What is skin cancer? What are the causes of skin cancer?
It is the uncontrolled proliferation of some cell types which are found in the skin. The most common forms are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma, respectively. There are many causes of skin cancers. Advanced age, sun exposure, skin type, carcinogens, genetics, suppression of the immune system are some of them.
How is skin cancer diagnosed?
Physical examination has a very important place in the diagnosis of skin cancers. In case of nodular lesions that do not heal and have increased vascularity, basal cell cancer is suspected; in case of hemorrhagic scaly lesions, squamous cell carcinoma is suspected; and in case of irregularly bordered, discolored, deformed and rapidly growing moles, melanoma is suspected. A dermatologist examination is recommended for lesions suspected on physical examination. Because a dermatoscopic examination by a dermatologist will be instructive. For definitive diagnosis, biopsy is taken from the lesion and the result of the pathological examination is awaited.
How are skin cancers treated?
The main treatment method for skin cancer is surgery. Local anesthesia is applied to the area of skin cancer. The numbness of the area is checked, with the help of a scalpel, the skin tumor is removed as full thickness with some intact skin margins. Defect is repaired with appropriate subcutaneous and skin sutures. When necessary, a skin patch (graft) taken from another part of the body or advancing of adjacent tissues (local flap) may be needed for repair. Process takes an average of 30 minutes, depending on the location, size and complexity of the skin cancer. The piece taken is sent to pathology and the result is awaited. In this way, both the definitive diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer is made (excisional biopsy). In cases where the defect cannot be closed immediately after tumor excision due to their size, and in cases where the diagnosis is uncertain, a part of the lesion can be removed (incisional biopsy) instead of removing the entire lesion. In this case, the treatment is planned according to the pathology result.
Is surgery the only treatment method for skin cancers?
Although the main treatment for skin cancer is surgery, it should be kept in mind that skin cancers are a multidisciplinary (interesting many different branches) issue and many different treatment options can be applied apart from surgical treatment. There are different treatment options depending on the general condition of the patient, the type, characteristics, size, location of the skin cancer, whether there is lymph node involvement and its stage.
Summary
Surgical treatment of moles, lipomas and sebaceous cysts that are aesthetically disturbing are procedures that can be easily performed in local intervention rooms where sterility principles are taken into account. Early diagnosis and accurate evaluation of the lesion are of great importance in the treatment of skin cancers. Therefore, in order to catch the tumor at an early stage, a plastic surgeon or dermatologist examination is definitely recommended in the presence of abnormal moles or in cases where skin cancer is suspected. It is useful to remind that “Early diagnosis saves lives”. Best regards.
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