If you experience any skin problems or suspicious lesions, call our office at Salem Surgical to find out what your options are. Keeping your skin healthy is important for overall health and happiness.

Skin Lesions
As the largest organ of the body, the skin is susceptible to many different conditions and disorders.
The term “lesion” is a general term that describes a broad category of skin disorders, ranging from blisters to ulcers. The causes of skin lesions vary, depending heavily on the type of lesion it is.
Our providers can treat many lesions, including cysts, lipomas, abscesses, and skin cancers.

Skin Cancer
The most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma. Melanomas are tumors that most often resemble moles and are often found on the sun-exposed portions of the body, such as the face, arms, legs, and back. It is important to note, however, that they can be located anywhere on the body. It is believed that melanoma is caused by exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) from the sun or tanning beds. It is also hereditary (passed through family genetically).
Diagnosing melanoma early is vital so it is important to watch for warning signs, including new lesions that look like moles, or changes in old moles. Changes to watch for include the following: the mole getting larger, getting smaller (regressing), becoming an irregular shape, or changing colors. The key word here is change. If you have multiple moles, it may be helpful to take pictures of the moles so you can identify changes if they happen. These self-examinations can help detect melanomas early, which greatly increases the success of treatment.
For early-stage Melanoma cases, surgically removing the lesion is a sufficient treatment. In Stage III and Stage IV cases, however, additional treatments may be needed, as the cancer can spread to the lymph nodes and/or other organs.

When a suspicious mole or lesion is spotted, the first step should be visiting your doctor. Diagnosing the condition early and accurately can ensure that the best treatment plan is implemented for you.