Skin growth
Exeresis
Skin growths can refer to various types of skin lesions, such as warts, sebaceous cysts, skin fibroids (or acrochordons), lipomas (subcutaneous fat deposits) or other types of non-cancerous skin lesions. Removal of a skin growth involves surgically removing the lesion from the skin.
Common reasons why a skin growth may be excised include:
- Discomfort or irritation: Some skin excrescences can cause irritation, rubbing or pain, especially if they are located in areas where they are subject to constant friction with clothing or other parts of the body.
- Aesthetic risks: Skin growths in visible areas or that alter the appearance of the skin can be removed for aesthetic reasons.
- Risk of malignancy: Although most skin growths are benign, some may present a risk of malignancy or become cancerous. In such cases, excision is often recommended to completely remove the lesion and avoid any risk of cancer.
The procedure for removing a skin excrescence is similar to that for removing a mole. It generally involves the administration of a local anesthetic to numb the area, followed by surgical excision of the lesion with a scalpel or bistoury. The wound is then often closed with sutures to promote healing and reduce scarring.
After excision, the removed tissue is sometimes sent for pathological examination to determine whether there are any signs of malignancy or other health problems.
It's important to consult a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to assess any suspicious, painful or bothersome skin growths, and to determine whether they need to be removed and what the best treatment options are.
Diathermy
Diathermy of a skin growth is a technique that uses high-frequency electrical currents to generate heat inside the skin lesion, enabling it to be destroyed or removed. This method is often used to remove small skin growths such as warts, sebaceous cysts or skin fibroids.
The diathermy process involves applying a high-frequency electric current to the skin lesion using an electrode. The heat generated by the electric current coagulates the tissue and destroys the lesion. Diathermy is often performed under local anaesthetic to minimize patient discomfort.
The advantages of diathermy over other methods of surgical excision often include faster recovery, less scarring and reduced risk of infection. However, it may not be as effective for larger or deeper lesions.
It is important to consult a qualified dermatologist or surgeon to determine whether diathermy is appropriate for the removal of your specific skin growth, and to discuss the risks, benefits and alternatives to this procedure.
Nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen is commonly used in medicine to treat skin growths such as warts, papillomas, sebaceous cysts, lentigos, molluscum contagiosum, and even certain forms of skin cancer such as superficial basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in situ. This treatment is known as cryotherapy or cryosurgery.
