Skin Biopsy/Mole Removal in Dallas, TX

Dermatologists perform various types of skin biopsies to accurately diagnose suspicious lesions, concerning moles and sometimes to better determine the etiology of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, etc. During your examination, Dr. Kingston will discuss what type of biopsy she recommends for each particular lesion. The skin biopsy will be sent to a Dermatopathologist to examine the tissue specimen. Once we receive the pathology, we will discuss your results and if any treatment is necessary.

In addition to performing diagnostic skin biopsies, Dr. Kingston offers elective mole removal for cosmetic purposes and during your consultation she will discuss the procedure with you as well as the expected cosmetic outcome. An elective mole removal is considered cosmetic and thus medically non necessary. Not all insurance plans cover elective mole removal and thus if you are interested in such a procedure, it would be necessary to contact your insurance carrier before your appointment to inquire the specific coverage details of your particular plan.

Dermatologist Dr. Adean Kingston of Adean Kingston, M.D., PLLC offers routine mole checks for patients throughout the greater Dallas, Texas area. Most people currently have a mole of some sort on their body somewhere. A mole is a growth on the skin that results from a cluster of pigmented cells, called melanocytes. During mole checks, we examine all of the moles on the body to guarantee they are safe and not changing or cancerous. They can be brown, black, or a variation of the colors, and can appear alone or in groups. Moles can also be flat or appear as a round bump. Although most are harmless, some can develop into cancer. If you have moles on your body and are unsure about the health of one, or if one becomes bothersome, it is necessary to see a professional — especially if one begins to change in size or shape, or begins to itch or bleed.

Moles may be electively removed for cosmetic reasons or medically removed for diagnostic reasons.

Moles occur when several melanocytes, cells that make the pigment that gives skin its natural color, in the skin grow in a cluster. Moles may darken after exposure to the sun, during the teen years, and during pregnancy.

Dr. Kingston recommends that patients watch for any changes and get mole checks on a regular basis. By using the ABCDE test to determine whether a mole could be cancerous, you can easily recognize what to look for. Moles could be cancerous if the following characteristics exhibit are present:

• Asymmetrical: They are not even or equal in size when cut in half
• Borders: They have irregular or scalloped borders
• Color: They begin to change color or have an uneven color
• Diameter: They are larger than 6mm in diameter
• Evolves: They begin to evolve (grow or change) in color, shape, size or height

Most moles don't warrant treatment unless they become suspicious, cancerous, or if they cause discomfort, irritation or bleed. In these situations, Dr. Kingston may need to remove the mole(s) via skin biopsy technique. Patients may also desire removal of certain moles for cosmetic purposes. If a mole needs to undergo a traditional skin biopsy, the area around the mole will be locally numbed and a small blade, scalpel or a punch biopsy device is used to remove the mole and some surrounding skin. The wound may need to be closed with sutures. Certain moles may also qualify for “tape biopsy” in which specialized tape is firmly pressed over the mole and sent for evaluation of specific diagnostic markers. In this case, the mole is not removed unless the tape biopsy results reveal that the mole needs to then be removed.

Whether you have moles that are bothersome, unattractive, or unusual in appearance (that could potentially be a sign of melanoma), it is time to contact Adean Kingston, M.D., PLLC to figure out your treatment options. Our Dallas, Texas office specializes in treating a wide variety of moles from those that are benign to cancerous ones. If we find that you have a mole(s) that is cancerous, we will select the ideal approach for your care. We are committed to providing you with the level of care that you deserve.