Dr. Gilberto Alvarez del Manzano is well-trained and skilled in dermatologic surgical procedures. Our new office includes a state of the art surgical suite for our doctors to take care of your surgical needs.
CYST REMOVAL
The most common type of cyst in the skin is a sebaceous or epidermoid cyst. These can be found anywhere on the body, and are typically soft round bumps under the skin, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Sometimes the cyst has a little opening that looks like a clogged pore. While usually harmless, cysts can sometimes become infected or inflamed. Cyst removal is done through surgical excision. A small incision is made in the area of the cyst and then the cyst and surrounding tissue will be removed to ensure complete excision. Most cysts do not return when thoroughly remove
SKIN CANCER TREATMENT
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and anyone can get it. The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Most of the time, skin cancer is caused by sun exposure and use of tanning beds. Any new growth or change in the skin should be carefully evaluated by a dermatologist.
A lesion suspicious for skin cancer will first be biopsied, a technique that involves the use of a local anesthetic injection followed by a sampling of the lesion. The skin specimen is then sent to a laboratory, where a dermatopathologist will examine the tissue under the microscope. If a diagnosis of skin cancer is made, our dermatologists will recommend the best treatment for you, depending on the type of skin cancer, its location on the body, and your medical history. Surgical excision remains the most common method of skin cancer removal. This method is done in our surgical suite, under local anesthesia. Other surgical methods of removing or destroying skin cancers include ED&C (electrodessication and curettage), cryotherapy, and Mohs surgery. In addition to the above surgical options, application of certain medications can, in some instances, also be used to treat skin cancer.
SKIN TAG REMOVAL
A skin tag is a common type of skin growth that looks like a small piece of extra skin. They typically develop on the neck, underarms, eyelids, groin, and under the breasts. While skin tags are not cancerous or harmful, they can be easily removed to minimize irritation or to “smooth” out the skin. They can be removed surgically or through other destructive methods such as freezing and electrocautery (burning).
WARTS, MOLLUSCUM, AND CONDYLOMA
Warts, molluscum, and condyloma are bumps on the skin caused viruses. Warts and condyloma are caused by different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), while molluscum is caused by the Molluscum Pox virus. While they typically can be removed with cryosurgery (freezing), electrocautery (burning) or the use of certain chemical treatments, very large or persistent ones may require surgical removal.
