Removal of nevi (moles)
- Procedure duration Outpatient procedure, lasting a few minutes
- Type of anesthesia Local anesthesia
- Recovery time Usually immediate; for a few days avoid trauma to the area and keep the wound dry
What are nevi?
Nevi are pigmented skin lesions that tend to appear during growth; it is rare for them to be present at birth.
New nevi may appear up to about age 40 and can increase in particular situations (for example, during pregnancy). They generally regress with aging.
Typical nevi are mostly symmetrical (round or oval), have well-defined, non-jagged borders, and uniform coloration. They usually do not enlarge and preserve the normal fine skin furrows on their surface. These features help distinguish them from melanoma.
Types of nevi and their features
There are three main types of nevi:
- Junctional
- Compound
- Intradermal
Junctional and compound nevi
Junctional and compound nevi carry a very low risk of malignant change. They are typically flat or slightly raised, with homogeneous color ranging from light brown to black, sometimes with evenly distributed darker dots.
Intradermal nevi
Intradermal nevi are often hemispherical or dome-shaped and raised, with a smooth, cobblestone, or warty surface, sometimes bearing hair. Their color may be light, brown, or black, but usually remains uniform.
How nevi are removed
Nevi are benign lesions and are removed only if considered at risk for transformation or upon the patient’s aesthetic request.
Removal is performed with a small skin excision just outside the edge of the nevus to ensure complete removal. Each excised lesion should be sent for histological examination to confirm benignity and complete excision.
Surgical techniques prioritize the best aesthetic outcome; intradermal suturing is widely used and usually provides excellent cosmetic results.
Melanoma removal
- Procedure duration 30–60 minutes
- Type of anesthesia Local anesthesia, regional (nerve-block) anesthesia, or sedation/general anesthesia depending on size and location
- Recovery time 2–3 days
What is melanoma and how do you recognize it?
Melanoma is an uncommon malignant tumor that often develops from a pre-existing nevus, though it can also arise on previously normal skin. Warning signs of nevus transformation include:
- Border irregularity (jagged, poorly defined edges)
- Color variegation (areas of very dark pigmentation alongside lighter brown or even pale areas)
- Asymmetry
- Noticeable enlargement
- Ulceration or bleeding (typically a late sign)
Is it melanoma? How diagnosis is made
Digital dermoscopy (epiluminescence) is widely used for the differential diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions, especially nevi and their risk features.
This technique uses a miniaturized camera to capture a magnified image of the lesion on a computer screen.
Dedicated software helps evaluate fine structural details so the physician can provide an accurate risk assessment.
Images can be stored to enable comparison over time.
How melanoma is removed
Treatment is surgical excision, with the approach tailored to the lesion’s location and size.
Clinical staging is performed when indicated and may be followed by additional, specific therapies.
Non-melanoma skin cancers: diagnosis and treatment of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma
- Procedure duration From 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on lesion size and site
- Type of anesthesia Local anesthesia; regional (nerve-block) anesthesia or sedation/general anesthesia depending on size and location
- Recovery time Varies by lesion site and extent of excision
What are non-melanoma skin cancers?
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common skin cancers in fair-skinned individuals, especially those with chronic, unprotected sun exposure. In rare cases, they can also affect younger people due to individual or familial predisposition.
The face is one of the areas most exposed to ultraviolet rays and therefore shows the highest incidence.
How diagnosis is made
Diagnosis is based on careful clinical examination of the lesion. Early diagnosis is crucial so removal can be limited and minimally invasive, minimizing visible scarring.
Surgical treatment
Depending on the site and extent at diagnosis, surgical excision is often performed in a single session, with immediate reconstruction of the operated area.
Plastic-surgery techniques vary in complexity according to the site involved (nose, eyelids, ears, lips, etc.) and the lesion’s size.
