Excision Of Skin Lesion Specialist

What types of skin lesions can develop?

A wide range of lesions can develop on or in the skin. Some of the most common types of skin lesions include:

• Psoriasis
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Rosacea
• Eczema
• Hives
• Acne
• Moles
• Skin cancer

While some of these lesions are temporary and heal, others are permanent. Likewise, while most of the lesions listed above are benign and unlikely to cause any serious problems, skin cancer can be deadly. Dr. Menken can help patients determine what type of lesion is present.

What happens during an excision?

During an excision procedure, Dr. Menken removes the skin lesion from the body entirely. Depending on the circumstances, she may also send the removed tissue to a laboratory to make sure it isn’t cancerous or to determine the type of lesion. Patients often opt for excision if they’re concerned about the type of lesion or embarrassed by its appearance.

What should patients expect during the procedure?

At the beginning of the excision procedure, Dr. Menken will cleanse the treatment area. She will also administer a local anesthetic to numb the area during the surgery. Next, she will use surgical tools to remove the lesion completely. Depending on the size and depth of the lesion removed, she may or may not use stitches to close the wound. In most cases, the wound will be covered with a bandage after the procedure is complete.

What are the risks of skin lesion excision?

The risks associated with excision of skin lesions are low. No general anesthesia is required for this procedure, and patients don’t need to be hospitalized. In rare cases, patients may experience an allergic reaction to the local anesthetic, or nerve damage may occur. Patients who undergo skin lesion excision may also notice bruising, scarring, or pain at the treatment site.

What if the lesion is cancerous?

If a lesion is cancerous, the patient may need additional surgery to make sure that all of the cancerous cells have been removed. In cases where skin cancer has spread, patients may also need radiation and/or chemotherapy to kill cancer cells in other locations.