How Suspicious Skin Growths Are Removed

How Suspicious Skin Growths Are Removed

If you have an asymmetrical, colorful, or large skin growth that you’re suspicious may be cancerous, visit Trident Dermatology in Charleston, SC for consultation on Mohs Surgery.

What Is Considered A Suspicious Growth?

By many, moles and freckles are called “beauty marks,” and while these imperfections in the skin can add some charm to your appearance, sometimes they indicate a deeper health issue. When deciding when and if to see a dermatologist, you and perhaps someone who can see parts of your body you can’t determine if the skin growth you are suspicious of fits these traits:

  • Asymmetrical - If the growth is uniformly round, it is likely not cancerous. If you can draw a line down the middle, and the two halves don’t match, it is asymmetrical.
  • Undefined Border - An undefined edge around the growth is concerning. If the mole is not clearly defined but appears splotchy, it has an undefined border.
  • Colorful - Lesions or growth that have more than one color should be looked at.
  • Large - Moles or growths larger than 6mm in diameter are considered suspicious.
  • Changes - Normal moles don’t change over time; potentially cancerous ones might change size, shape, or color.

If you have a skin feature that has any of these characteristics, the many highly-trained dermatologists at Trident Dermatology in Charleston, SC can assess it for cancer risks and remove suspicious growths.

What Is Mohs Surgery For Suspicious Growths?

Just because a growth looks suspicious does not mean it is cancerous. In some cases, a growth might only be removed if it is causing pain or changing over time. To determine if a growth is cancerous, the doctor would perform a biopsy. By either shaving or removing parts of the growth with a utensil, the doctor will collect a sample of it, then test it for cancerous cells.

If the doctor determines the growth to be cancerous, they will perform Mohs Surgery. In this method, the doctor uses a tool to remove layers of the skin one by one, testing each layer until they no longer test positive for cancerous cells. This area is numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure, and the patient can go home after the surgery.

Don’t wait to see a dermatologist about suspicious skin growths. This easy, outpatient procedure can remove cancerous growths with minimal scarring compared to other surgical treatments. Call (843) 797-3960 to make an appointment at Trident Dermatology in Charleston, SC.


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Charleston, SC Dermatologist
Trident Dermatology®
9295 Medical Plaza Dr. Ste A-B
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 797-3960
fax: (843) 553-4216
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Wednesday:07:45 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday:07:45 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday:07:45 AM - 05:00 PM
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