Skin tumours can develop in any area of the skin but are usually on those exposed to sunlight.
Cells typically develop and divide to generate new cells when your body requires them or when cells become old and damaged. A tumour forms when cells continue to grow and divide more than is required.
Tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
A dome-shaped skin tumour occuring on sun-exposed areas (head, neck, and arms), often starts in a hair follicle
Small reddish brown or brown oval bumps, usually found on the lower legs
Rough, skin-coloured bumps, commonly found on the hands
A bright red birthmark that appears in the first two weeks of life, it will fade over time
Yellowish or flesh-coloured bumps that form on the forehead and nose
Small, dark brown spots
A brown, black or light tan that looks waxy or scaly, usually appearing on the face, back, or chest
A tissue growth that has an oval or circular form and appears beneath the skin, commonly appearing on the back, arms and neck
Skin-coloured tissue appearing as a small piece of hanging skin, mostly occurring on the skin folds such as the neck
May be a symptom of skin cancer if the mole changes dramatically in size, shape or colour. It can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
May appear in multiple forms, including as open sores or red nodules with a rough surface
Can take multiple forms but often appear as a skin-coloured bump
Irregular in shape and asymmetrical
Have poorly defined and asymmetrical borders
Have more than one shade or colour
Larger than 6mm in diameter
Characteristics (size, shape and colour) change over time
Skin cancer can affect everyone, although individuals with certain characteristics are at a higher risk.
UV exposure is usually linked to many cases of skin tumours, thus there are a few precautions that can be taken.
Skin tumours are mostly harmless and only require treatment if the patient experiences severe symptoms. Those dealing with benign skin tumours have several dermatological options including freezing (cryotherapy), curettage and electrodesiccation, and laser treatment. However, malignant tumours involve more intensive procedures like surgery or radiotherapy treatment.
Some of the treatments are:
The abnormal tissues are frozen and removed from the body by using liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen.
The abnormal cells are vaporised using a beam of laser light.
This treatment involves a numbing medication being injected into the area. The skin tumour is then removed with a curette (a scoop-shaped surgical instrument). Any remaining abnormal cells in the area are treated with an electrode (an electric needle).
Tumour tissue is surgically removed
Radiation therapy (low-energy x-rays or electrons) is used to treat skin cancers
The abnormal tissues are frozen and removed from the body by using liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen.
The abnormal cells are vaporised using a beam of laser light.
This treatment involves a numbing medication being injected into the area. The skin tumour is then removed with a curette (a scoop-shaped surgical instrument). Any remaining abnormal cells in the area are treated with an electrode (an electric needle).
Tumour tissue is surgically removed
Radiation therapy (low-energy x-rays or electrons) is used to treat skin cancers
Our team of skilled dermatologists at SKINCENTRIC situated in Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre (BTMC) offers a variety of skin and aesthetic services designed to help patients achieve their desired goals and go on to lead a more fulfilling and healthy life.
