In our private practice, located in Pasarét, Buda, we provide our patients with the most advanced skin treatments in the field of medical and surgical dermatology, using the latest state of the art medical devices. Depending on the type of skin lesion, we also electrosurgery, radiofrequency cauterization and cryosurgery.
Dr. László Csiky, a highly experienced surgical specialist provides individualised skin care to each patient. He performs a wide range of non-surgical and minor surgical treatments, treats atheroma, lipoma and other benign skin growths, as well as other skin problems.
Mole screening
Birthmarks and moles are harmless skin lesions in most cases, and they may even add charm to our appearance. They may turn up on any site of the body, and they can vary in size and shape, too. However, there are warning signs when a pigmented mole becomes dangerous. These most common signs are:
- sudden growth
- pain
- itching or bleeding
- changing colour.
Malignant melanoma is a skin tumour that originates from the pigment cells of the outer layer of the skin. Melanoma is primarily a disease of the middle-aged, but it is also becoming more common in the young. Women may be more likely to be affected by pigmented skin cancer, which develops primarily on the limbs, while in men it may occur anywhere on the body, which is true for both sexes. Melanoma is one of the most malignant tumours: it spreads vigorously and is aggressive, forming metastases quickly, so early detection is extremely important. Melanoma develops in 20-30% on the existing mole, in most cases it appears as a new formula on the outer layer of the skin. It can spread superficially and appear in the form of a lump. It is 95 percent dark brown-black-greyish but may be unpigmented in 5 percent: it appears as a red lump, less often on the mucous membranes or even in the eye.
Mole screening with Dermatoscopy
Dermatoscope is a medical device that magnifies and illuminates the skin lesions, so it helps us analyse the patient’s skin condition. With this state-of-the-art procedure, even the smallest lesions can be detected, and evaluated, so the necessary treatment can be started in time. This is a non-invasive, painless technique, and it can be used all over the body.
Although dermatologists recommend annual skin cancer screening, there are cases when the skin lesions must be analysed more frequently.
People with the following characteristics are at increased risk:
- having a family history of pigmented skin cancer
- being exposed to UV light for a longer period of time
- aving pale skin and fair hair
- having a large number of moles with unusual appearance
- severe and frequent sunburns before the age of 20
- congenital large mole
Melanoma warning signs when immediate intervention may be necessary:
- the mole changes colour
- lumps can be felt
- uneven borders
- bleeding and discharge of pus
- itching and pain.
Treatment for melanoma
As already mentioned, if it is caught early, melanoma is highly treatable and can be cured at a very good rate. In each case, the surgically removed mole is sent for histological examination, which determines follow up treatments. It is important to have regular screening after surgical removal.
Melanoma risk factors:
- a family and personal medical history of melanoma (increases the risk tenfold)
- congenital large melanoma
- large number of, irregularly shaped, atypical mole
- the mole changes, it grows, or becomes smaller, bleeds, changes colour, itches
- the pigmented mole is regularly damaged or exposed to mechanical irritation (E.g.: from clothes)
- history of sunburn during childhood or at any age
- red or blonde hair and fair skin
Mole removal
Surgical excision aims to completely remove moles from the skin in a fine way that scarring is minimal. It is a short procedure, which can be performed with topical anaesthesia.
After cleaning and numbing the target area, we remove a bay-leaf shaped skin area with a border of the healthy skin surrounding the mole to ensure that the diseased cells are also removed. Then we stitch the wound edges for optimal healing. The stitches are removed later, depending on the location of the wound.
In all cases, the pigmented moles will be sent for histological examination, and we inform the patients about the results after about a week. Histological findings are evaluated by one of the best and most reliable pathologists in the country.
Recovery time after the procedure is minimal.
Since surgical excision affects the basal layer of the skin, scarring is likely to develop after mole removal. However, the extent depends on the compassionate and professional patient service, the experience of the specialist and the techniques performed. At our clinic, we use tissue-saving procedures that ensure minimal scarring, resulting in the most aesthetic appearance possible. However, it is important to point out that the final result also depends largely on the targeted body region itself. Fortunately, the small scars on the face heal extremely easily, while the remaining scars are more likely to stay more visible in the décolletage and back area.
Basal cell carcinoma removal, nonpigmented skin lesions treatment
Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of malignant skin cancer, which mainly affects the over-50s, but due to sunbathing habits and indoor tanning, it is getting more and more frequent in the younger age group. Basal cell carcinomas are usually found on areas of the body exposed to the sun or UV light. A basal cell carcinoma usually looks like a raised, smooth, pearly bump, small blood vessels may be visible, too. There are several possible treatments, but the safest procedure is surgical excision with a margin of the skin surrounding the tumour.
Removal of atheroma, lipoma, subcutaneous growth
Atheroma is a benign lesion that can cause pain, discomfort and even fever. This bump under the skin of various sizes is caused by a blockage in the outlet tube of the sebaceous glands. It most commonly occurs on the hairy scalp and trunk, or on the face. Since it can be very unsightly, they are removed mainly for cosmetic reasons.
Lipoma is a soft, harmless, fatty lump under the skin, which moves easily, if we press. Lipomas usually appear on legs, arms, trunk, it is common in other places, such as the neck, face, or scalp, but it can develop anywhere on the body.
Whether it is atheroma or lipoma, surgical removal of the lesion is safe, quick and easy, and the procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia. Our specialist removes the tumour from and then stitches the wound aesthetically. In each case, we send the tissues for histological testing, and a medical report is made.