Face & Body Lesions,scars, Facial & body moles, and birth marks:
What can be done to remove moles and birthmarks from my face and body?
There are numerous different types of marks, moles, birth marks and other lesions that may occur on the face and body.
Cosmetically unattractive marks and lesions can be removed surgically under local anaesthetic.
Lesions that are suspicious of being a skin cancer can also be removed under local anesthetic.
The minor surgery procedure involves removing the unwanted mark, and its underlying deeper root. It is then sutured with small sutures that are removed at 5 to 7 days, depending on the location of the surgery.
This leaves a small scar in place of the mark or lesion.
These lesions can be a “lump” which may require a larger incision to remove the entire mass under the skin. Again, this will leave a small scar.
These lesions and marks are sent to pathology to ensure they are not premalignant or malignant.
Alberta Health Service (AHS) does not cover these lesions or marks unless they are premalignant or malignant. If there is a recurrent history of infection in a “lump”, AHS will also cover the removal of a recurrently infected lump.
What should I look for if a lesion or mark is premalignant or malignant?
See your family doctor for a referral if you have:
Sudden change in the mark or lesion
Rapid growth of a new lesion
Change in colour or variation of the pigmentation in the lesion
Bleeding
A sore that doesn’t heal (a sore that is present for more than 6 weeks that doesn’t heal is highly suspicious of a cancer until proven otherwise with a biopsy).
Pain
History of a previous cancer in the area
What if the mark is a skin cancer?
Skin cancer must always be ruled out when dealing with a mole, mark, lesion or lump.
Any suspicious mark, mole, or ulcer on the skin should be biopsied to rule out a malignancy.
Any biopsy tissue removed from a patient is sent to a pathologist to insure it is not premalignant or malignant.
The biopsy can be done under freezing (local anesthesia) by taking a small sample of the suspicious lesion called an incisional biopsy. If the results come back as positive for a cancer, then another wide excision to completely remove the cancer is done as a second procedure. This is also sent to pathology to insure that the entire cancer has been removed. This approach is used for larger lesions that may require tissue reconstruction after the cancer is removed completely.
In situations where the suspicious lesion is small, often an excisional biopsy is done where the entire cancer lesion is completely removed. This specimen is sent to pathology to insure the entire cancer lesion has been removed.
These procedures are done most often under local (freezing) anesthesia. For a much larger lesion where a more extensive reconstruction is required, a General Anesthetic would be required.
Alberta Health Service (AHS) covers any lesions that are premalignant or malignant.
risks:
Risks for Facial resurfacing, or filler enhancement for facial creases:
Scarring
Stitch tracks if the sutures are left in too long
Infection
Temporary Bruising and Swelling
Pigmentation change which can be darker or lighter pigmentation to the area treated
Prolonged redness (erythema)
Recurrence of the lesion
Contour deformity in the skin
Prolonged irregular surface of the skin
Skin damage (necrosis)
Asymmetry
Expense if not covered if not Alberta Health care
(AHS will cover scars that create a functional problem and lesions or marks that are precancerous or cancers)
followup:
A diagnosis of a skin cancer will require followup after your treatment.
The area is reassessed at 6 months and one year post treatment and then yearly thereafter for 5 years.
Depending on the type of cancer, a more rigorous followup may be required.
If you notice a change in an area previously treated, or a lesion or mark on your face or body that is suspicious, contact your medical practitioner for advice and treatment.
Appropriate referrals will then be made for the medical management.