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Stanford Health Care

Symptoms

How We Can Help You

The doctors in the Stanford Health Care Dermatologic Surgery program not only have the expertise to help improve the health and appearance of your skin, they are leading the development of new technologies and techniques not yet available at other centers.

What We Offer You For Cysts, Lipomas, and Moles

  • Fellowship-trained specialists who are global leaders in aesthetic dermatology and dermatologic surgery – active clinical researchers who teach and lecture around the world.
  • Advanced treatment options including laser treatments, precision surgical expertise, and innovative solutions for pigmented skin.
  • A comfortable center that is easily accessible from Highway 101.

Treatment for Cysts, Lipomas, and Moles

Even if a mole, cyst, or lipoma is harmless, you may wish to have it removed for cosmetic reasons or because it is growing larger, causes irritation, or is painful.

Cysts can be drained, injected with steroids to reduce swelling, or be surgically removed.

Lipomas are surgically removed using the least invasive method possible. Another technique that works for some lipomas is liposuction, using a need and syringe to remove the fatty lump.

Depending on their size, location, and type, moles can be removed with a “shave removal” technique or be cut out and the wound closed with stitches.

What are Cysts, Lipomas, and Moles?

Symptoms of Cysts, Lipomas, Moles

Cysts and moles have distinct characteristics:

Symptoms of cysts

Cysts usually grow slowly and painlessly, with the lumps often visible. The face, neck, and trunk are common locations. If the cyst becomes infected or inflamed, it can cause:

  • Redness
  • Tenderness
  • Warmness
  • Draining of a grayish-white, foul-smelling, cheese-like substance

Symptoms of lipomas

Lipomas can grow on any part of the body. Usually, they appear in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, legs, or stomach. Lipomas are:

  • Soft and easy to move when pressed
  • Small – usually less than 50 mm (2 inches) in diameter, but they can grow
  • Potentially painful, if they grow and put pressure on nerves, or have greater blood vessels within them

Symptoms of moles

Common moles are:

  • Usually found above the waist, in areas exposed to sun
  • Narrower than a pencil eraser (less than 5 mm)
  • Round or oval and often shaped like a dome
  • Smooth, with distinct edges
  • Evenly colored — pink, tan, or brown

Atypical moles, or dysplastic nevi, are:

  • Found all over the body, but usually in places that see sun
  • Often wider than a pencil eraser (greater than 5 mm)
  • Frequently multicolored, including pink and dark brown
  • Usually flat and smooth, scaly or pebbly, with a soft edge that can fade away

Because of the risk for melanoma, it's important to monitor and report any changes to common or atypical moles:

  • Bleeding, oozing or itching
  • Change in shape, size, color or texture
  • Dry or scaly surface
  • Hard or lumpy feeling

Our Clinics

Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery
The Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery Clinic at Stanford is a nationally recognized leader in skin cancer management, Mohs micrographic surgery and other dermatologic procedures.
450 Broadway Street
 Pavilion B, 4th Floor
 Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-725-5272 Getting Here
Make An Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-725-5272