Mole & Lesion Removal: Frisco, Plano Texas Natan Yaker M.D.

Mole & Lesion Removal:
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There are many different shapes and sizes of skin lesions and moles listed below are the different categories:

Normal Moles/Benign Lesions:
These are common blemishes or growths on the skin, “beauty marks,” that appear in the first few decades of life in almost everyone.

Shape: symmetrical, round or oval
Border: sharp and well-defined
Color: usually one shade of tan, brown, or skin color
Diameter: usually less than ¼ inch (can be covered by a pencil eraser)
Location: concentrated on sun-exposed skin of the face, trunk, arms and legs
Onset: usually during early childhood through mid-twenties

Dysplastic Nevi:

These are unusual or atypical moles, which are markers for an increased risks of changing and becoming pre cancerous, or melanoma.

Shape: often asymmetrical, one half looks obviously unlike the other

Border: irregular or hazy; the mole seems to gradually fade into the surrounding skin

Color: variation and irregularity with haphazard speckles of tan, brown, dark brown, or black.

Diameter: often recognized when slightly larger than a pencil eraser; although some are now being identified in smaller sizes

Location: most commonly on the back, chest, abdomen, and extremities. May also occur on normally unexposed areas, such as the scalp, buttocks, groin, or breasts.

Growth: enlargement in a previously stable nevus or appearance of a new nevus after age 25 should raise suspicion

Surface: central portion may be flat or raised; sometime with tiny “pebbly” elevations

Appearance: greatly varied; dysplastic nevi often look unusual and different from one another

Basal Cell Carcinoma:

These are the most common form of skin cancer, affecting approximately 500,000 Americans each year. The major cause of basal cell carcinomas is overexposure to sunlight. While anyone with a history of sun exposure can develop basal cell carcinoma, people who are at highest risk have fair skin, light hair and blue, green or gray eyes. Workers in occupations that require long hours outdoors, and people who spend their leisure time in the sun are particularly susceptible. Skin specialists report that more and more people in their twenties and thirties are being treated for skin cancer.

An open sore that bleeds, oozes or crusts and remains open for three or more weeks. A persistent, non-healing sore is a very common sign of an early basal cell carcinoma.
A reddish patch, or irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms or legs. Sometimes the patch crusts. It may also itch or hurt. At other times, it persists with not noticeable discomfort.
A smooth growth with an elevated, rolled border and an indentation in the center. As the growth slowly enlarges, tiny blood vessels may develop on the surface.
A shiny bump, or nodule, that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red or white. The bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-haired people, and can be confused with a mole.
A scar-like area - white, yellow or waxy, which often has poorly defined borders. The skin itself appears shiny and taut. Although a less frequent sign, it can indicate the presence of an aggressive tumor.

When removed promptly, basal cell carcinomas are easily treated in their early stages.

Malignant Melanoma:

Malignant melanoma is a cancer that arises from the pigment (tanning) cells of the upper layer of the skin or from similar cells that make up moles. After a period of time, from months to years, this type of cancer sends down “roots” into deeper layers of the skin. Some of these microscopic extensions can spread new tumor growths to vital organs of the body. If it is found and removed early, melanoma is one of the easiest tumors to find and cure.

Moles that undergo a significant change in size, shape or color should be examined and removed.
Borders are generally asymmetric or irregular.
Other signs are softening and hardening of the lesion, swelling, crusting, oozing, bleeding, and ulceration of the lesion.
The color may vary from black, brown, pink, and bluish-black.

After Dr. Yaker examines the mole(s)/lesion(s), determines the length of time required for removal, and technique of removal, another appointment is scheduled for biopsy or removal. If Dr. Yaker feels the lesion is benign it will be completely excised, with an additional border of normal skin to ensure the entire lesion has been removed, or by shaving and cauterizing. If Dr. Yaker feels the lesion is questionable, most likely a biopsy will be done to determine what type of lesion it is. It is possible an additional amount of tissue removal may be required to remove remaining cells. Generally pain or discomfort during the procedure is minimal, and Tylenol should control the pain after the procedure. Because all surgery involves cutting the skin, scarring is inevitable and depends on each patients scar formation. When small lesions are removed, the result is usually cosmetically acceptable. We encourage patients to massage lotions containing Aloe Vera and Vitamin E on the scar to help with during the healing process, once the sutures have been removed.

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