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.