Skin growth and benign tumours of the skin

What causes growth on the skin?

Skin growth can have many different causes, which will impact how they look or feel. They can develop on or underneath the skin. They may range from warts, skin tags, lipoma (fatty deposits under the skin), cysts, inflammatory acne, benign tumour, lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system), or skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma.

When the growth is controlled and the cells do not spread to other parts of the body, the skin growth (tumour) is noncancerous (benign). When the growth is uncontrolled, the tumour is cancerous (malignant), and the cells invade normal tissue and may even spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

What are the most common types of skin growths?

Warts – Warts and verrucae are rough lumps or growths which can appear anywhere on the skin caused by infection of your skin with the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are many different types of warts and are often located on hands and feet.

Seborrheic keratoses– These are noncancerous (benign) skin growths that some people develop as they age. They often appear on the back or chest but can occur on other parts of the body. They grow slowly, in groups or singly. Most people will develop at least one seborrheic keratosis during their lifetime.

Actinic keratosis – is a rough, scaly patch on the skin that develops from years of sun exposure. It is often found on the face, lips, ears, forearms, scalp, neck or back of the hands. They are not cancerous, but a small fraction of them will develop into skin cancer. Sometimes they disappear on their own but might return after more sun exposure. It is hard to tell which actinic keratoses will develop into skin cancer, so they’re usually removed as a precaution.

Skin Tag – These are small flesh-coloured or brown growths that hang off the surface the skin. They often appear in areas of irritation or where skin rubs together, like the neck or armpit. These are benign. They are more common after age 40 and can happen to anyone but are more likely to appear on people who are obese, have diabetes, or have a family history. Although they are completely harmless, they can increase in size and numbers and become unsightly and irritated.

Sebaceous Cyst – One of the most common causes of a skin lump, these are round , smooth and soft cysts filled with keratin, which is a protein produced by skin cells that gives strength and flexibility. Also called “Epidermoid cysts”, they are often appeared as a painless lump under the skin that has a central pore on the face or back. This happens when skin does not mature properly and folds into itself, forming the pore.

Dermatofibroma– These are benign nodules that may be found on the lower legs. They look like a small, red raised bump and are firm and “rock-like.” They are very common and do not have a known cause.

Lipoma– This skin lump is actually a common benign tumour of fat that grows in the skin’s fat layer that can pop up anywhere on the body. It can run in families, so there may be a genetic cause. They are normally soft with ill- defined edges and typically not painful.

All these conditions can be an indicator of more serious issues such as skin cancer, so require immediate attention by a fully qualified dermatological practitioner.

How can skin growths be treated? 

Often skin growth is not dangerous and it can be left alone if not bothersome. Many of them, however, won’t go away on their own and require treatment. Depends on the condition of the lesions; painful and inflamed lesions can be alleviated by simple cortisone injections. To remove permanently, they can be either done by surgical excision or scrapping or burning off by electrosurgery.

At The London Cosmetic Clinic Harley Street, we offer thorough evaluation on your existing or new skin growths and spots and recommend treatment options if needed. If they are best removed, we offer a range of treatments using topical applications, surgery and laser treatments which can be easily done using clinically-proven methods and techniques to restore the health and vitality of your skin.