Nevus

- Skin Dark Patch Nevi Treatment

Small, dark, sometimes raised growth on human skin. Also called a mole.

Pigmented skin lesions can be melanocytic or non-melanocytic. These lesions are a common reason for visits to dermatologists either because of fear of malignancy, because they are unsightly, or because they are in areas of irritation or trauma.

Melanocytic lesions may include common acquired nevus, dysplastic nevus, congenital pigmented nevus, Spitz nevus, malignant melanoma, blue nevus, lentigo, ephelis (freckle), and café-au-lait spot.

Nonmelanocytic lesions may include seborrheic keratoses, dermatofibromas, pigmented basal cell carcinomas, epidermal nevi, lentigenes, and vascular lesions, to name a few.

Although many of these skin lesions do not need treatment, some benign or potentially malignant nevi and neoplasms, cysts, or reactive lesions require medical or surgical intervention for one or more of the following reasons:

To rule out malignancy
To treat or prevent complications, such as infection, ulceration, bleeding, or further enlargement of the lesion
For relief of symptoms of irritation, tenderness, or pain
For avoidance or correction of disfigurement
To prevent progression to frank malignancy
To rule out benign infiltrative or other reactive processes

Pigmented nevus

Profile picture of Korean man with Nevus of Ota on face

- What is the treatment of Nevus?

If you notice a nevus that does not follow the normal pattern, a dermatologist may be able to assure you that the nevus is harmless, or confirm that it is cancerous. He or she may remove the nevus or part of it (biopsy) to study it under a microscope. If the growth was only partially removed and it is found to be cancerous, then the entire lesion and an extra margin of safety will need to be removed.

A person may wish to get rid of nevus for cosmetic reasons, the most common methods of removal include numbing and shaving the nevus off, or cutting out the entire lesion and stitching the area closed, or a scar less radiofrequency excision. The hair over the nevus can be clipped close to the skin’s surface, or removed permanently with electrolysis or laser.

Sometimes a nevus will recur after it is removed. If a nevus has been removed and begins to reappear, the patient should return to the dermatologist.

- How much does the treatment cost?

Cost for the treatment depends upon the type of treatment chosen. Laser treatment for nevus removal will be relatively costly compared to removing a nevus surgically. Regular follow ups with the dermatologist are recommended as chances of recurrence are there. In general, a consultation with Dr. Debraj Shome will be chargeable at INR 1000/-.

For more information on Dr. Debraj Shome’s work, click on: theestheticclinic.com/about/doctors/debraj-shome.html