Skin cancer is not the only reason why a person may need to undergo an operation to take care of a skin issue. Other formations like skin tumor or skin cysts can become problematic and need to be addressed by a surgeon. Today, we take a closer look at these two conditions, we explain why they develop, and how they are treated.
Skin Cysts and Tumors
Skin cysts and tumors are two skin conditions that can cause pain and discomfort. Here’s a closer look at each condition:
- Skin Cysts – Skin cysts are non-cancerous pouches or closed pockets of tissue that are usually filled with fluid or other body material. You may be able to feel them underneath the surface of the skin, and they may move slightly when pressure is applied. They usually develop as a result of an infection, a clog in the sebaceous glands, or around a foreign body that enters the skin.
- Skin Tumors – Skin tumors are abnormal tissue growths that can either be non-cancerous or cancerous. Some common types of non-cancerous skin tumors include warts, seborrheic keratoses, and moles/birthmarks. Skin tumors are more frequent in older adults, and while there is no direct cause, they tend to be somewhat hereditary.
Symptoms and Causes
Skin cysts and tumors can be asymptomatic, meaning they don’t cause any symptoms, or they can be accompanied by some common symptoms like pain, redness, discomfort and itchiness. Treating each condition varies depending on a number of factors like the location and whether or not the growth is cancerous, but generally speaking cyst treatment is easier than tumor treatment.
Skin cyst treatment is pretty straightforward. In fact, sometimes the cysts will drain and disappear on their own. Other times the cyst can be treated by having a surgeon lance the cyst with a sterilized needle. If simple treatment doesn’t work, a surgeon may try to take care of the cyst with a cortisone medication injection. If all else fails, the surgeon can take care of the cyst by creating a small incision and removing the cyst.
Treatment Options
Skin tumors are treated depending on whether or not the growth is cancerous. Odds are you have a couple moles or birthmarks on your body, but if they are benign and not causing you any discomfort, than you don’t need to treat them. You should keep an eye on them to see if the moles change shape or color, as these are signs that they may be cancerous. We talk a little bit more about what to look for when examining moles in this blog post. If the skin tumor is cancerous or you want a benign skin tumor removed for other reasons, the surgeon has a couple different techniques at his disposal. You could undergo:
- Curettage and Electrodesiccation – In this procedure, the surgeon will scrape away the tumor tissue with a sharp surgical tool called a curette. An electrosurgical device may then be used to prevent bleeding from the skin site.
- Surgical Excision – This procedure involves cutting into the skin, removing the tumor, and closing the wound with stitches.
- Cryosurgery – Commonly used in wart removal, liquid nitrogen is sprayed directly onto the skin tumor in hopes of stopping the growth of the tumor. It is then either surgically removed, or may resolve on it’s own after a while.
For more information about what can be done for your skin cyst or tumor, contact Dr. Koeplin today.
