Common Skin Growths seen (and removed) at ADAS

The following is a brief overview of some of the common skin growths that we see and sometimes remove for our Jacksonville, Fleming Island, and Ponte Vedra Beach patients. Many of the growths listed are benign and some are "warning lesions" that we usually recommend some type of treatment.

If you would like to have one of your skin growths evaluated by an ADAS provider, click here to schedule an appointment or call 904-285-7546. Thank you for your patronage of our practice.

ACTINIC KERATOSIS - refers to a skin precancer which occurs as a result of chronic cumulative sun exposure. It usually presents as a scaling, sandpaper rough spot which does not heal and is often tender. It is estimated that 5 to 10 % of these lesions can progress to form Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Treatment is achieved with liquid nitrogen, photodynamic therapy, Aldara Cream® or 5 fluorouracil cream.

ANGIOFIBROMA - a benign growth, also referred to as a fibrous papule which is often found on the face, especially on the nose. Lesions can be cosmetically removed with CO2 laser at our office. They do not need to be medically removed.


ATYPICAL NEVUS (DYSPLASTIC NEVUS) - refers to a benign pigmented growth which can sometimes be a marker for the development of malignant melanoma. Atypical moles can be graded into mild, moderate or severe subtypes. We recommend that these growths be removed to eliminate concern for melanoma.

BLUE NEVUS - an acquired benign, firm dark blue to gray growth which appears blue because of the accumulation of dark pigment in the skin. These growths can be subdivided into Common, Cellular and Combined subtypes. Blue Nevi are sometimes removed to exclude melanoma as a diagnosis.

BECKER'S NEVUS - an acquired benign unilateral, hairy brown patch of skin that usually occurs on the body during adolescence. It is commonly found on the upper extremities (i.e., shoulders) and most often occurs in males. Becker's Nevi can be treated cosmetically through using pigment and hair specific lasers.

CAFÉ' AU LAIT SPOT - well circumscribed tan spots that range from 1 to 20 cm in diameter. These tend to occur over the face, arms or legs and are benign inherited growths. We can remove these lesions using our Medlite C6® Laser. The spots are brown because of an increase in the number of pigment cells and production.

CHERRY ANGIOMA - benign growths which are commonly found on the skin. Cherry Angiomas are also referred to as "Cherry Moles" or Campbell De Morgan spots. They are comprised of small capillaries and can be cosmetically treated using pulse dye laser surgery.


DERMATOFIBROMA - a firm, benign bump on the skin with a positive "dimple" sign. Often these growths result from an insect bite reaction, trauma or an ingrown hair follicle. Patients often note these growths when shaving or bathing. Unless the growth is painful or inflamed, no treatment is needed.

DIGITAL MUCOUS CYST - benign cysts that usually occur on the distal finger joints and result from connective tissue degeneration. Mucous Cysts contain a clear viscous fluid with trauma being the major contributing factor. This lesion may form in an arthritic joint and sometimes an orthopedic evaluation is necessary. Treatment can be carried out with laser and/or surgery.

ECCRINE/APOCRINE HYDROCYSTOMA - these growths are derived from either sweat glands (ECCRINE) or odor glands (APOCRINE). Lesions are usually solitary and may increase in size. Apocrine Hydrocystomas usually have a bluish hue and can be confused with basal cell cancer. Because there can be some doubt about malignancy, our ADAS providers usually recommend removal.

EPIDERMOID CYST - this growth is the most common cyst and it presents as a firm round bump with central communication to the skin, (in what looks like a pore). White to yellow cheesy exudates can be expressed from these pores. Cysts can occur on the face, back, or leg areas. Epidermoid cysts are sometimes associated with internal disorders and can be removed surgically.

LIPOMA - a benign fatty growth which is easily recognized because it presents as a soft, beneath the skin, moveable swelling. Some can enlarge to a significant size. Lipomas often occur on the neck, trunk and occasionally on the extremities. Removal is carried out with surgical excision or liposuction.

LICHEN SIMPLEX - refers to a localized, benign growth of the skin which occurs in response to trauma and repeated scratching. The skin becomes extremely sensitive to the touch due to a proliferation of nerve tissue in the skin. Stress, anxiety and friction of the skin are exacerbating factors. Treatment involves the interruption of the "itch-scratch" cycle and steroid creams.

MILIA - small white to yellow bumps that can occur over the eyelids, cheek or forehead areas. In some instances these growths are confused with whiteheads. Lesions are removed through an extraction technique or acne facial (see our medical spa services). Some of these growths resolve spontaneously.

MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM - refers to a benign growth(s) that is caused by a poxvirus infection. These growths are often seen in young children and usually resolve spontaneously. Molluscum can be either single or multiple, have a central "depression" and are often confused with warts. Treatments include: Duct Tape application, "nicking" the growth with a fine needle, and /or Tagamet® therapy.

MUCOCELE - a single dome shaped translucent blue to white cyst that contain a clear viscous fluid. Growths are usually located on the inner surface of the lower lip or the inside floor of the mouth. Mucoceles usually result from ruptured mucous salivary glands or the retention of mucous due to obstruction. Treatment is usually carried out surgically.

NEUROFIBROMA - refers to a benign growth consisting of nerve and fibrous tissue. They are benign but may be multiple. When multiple, one must consider the disease of Neurofibromatosis, an inherited disorder. It often presents as a painless growing mass or lesion. These growths are sometimes removed due to disfigurement or pain.

NEVUS (COMPOUND) - benign mole on the skin which is symmetrical and raised. Nevi occur at birth and may change with time. Some nevi lose their pigment or become smaller with time. Unless they are inflamed or growing, their removal is considered cosmetic.


NEVUS CONGENITAL - a nevus which is present at birth. They occur in up to 1 percent of all infants. Congenital Nevi are defined by their size, i.e., small (<1.5 cm), intermediate (1.5 to 20 cm) or large ( >20 cm). The risk of melanoma development increases with the size of the growth. (up to a 6 % malignancy rate is seen in large congenital nevi).

NEVUS HALO - refers to a benign mole that is encircled by a rim of white skin pigment. Halo Nevi occur within the first 30 years of life and may eventually disappear. They can also be associated with vitiligo and rarely malignant melanoma . No treatment is needed unless the mole "changes".


NEVUS (INTRADERMAL) - Intradermal Nevi are also benign raised growths but, unlike Compound Nevi, they do not usually have pigment and appear flesh (light) toned in color. Unless they are inflamed or growing, their removal is considered cosmetic.


NEVUS JUNCTIONAL - benign growth on the skin which is symmetrical and flat. Junctional Nevi occur at birth and some lose their pigment with time. Pregnancy can have the opposite effect and the growths may become darker and larger during this state. Lesions can be removed with laser. Their medical treatment is usually based on factors such as itching, bleeding or a change in color or size.

NEVUS SPILUS - a benign growth consisting of two components. 1. The dark spots or "Spilus" refers to the benign mole or nevus component while the large tan area is comprised of a 2. Lentigo Simplex. This growth is seen in 3% of all patients. Though Malignant Melanoma can very rarely occur in a Nevus Spilus, no treatment is usually required.

PILOMATRICOMA - refers to a benign tumor that is most commonly found on the face, scalp or trunk. These growths are often hard or calcified and are sometimes confused with cysts. Pilomatricomas derive from hair matrix cells. Sometimes they can be associated with conditions such as frontal baldness, raynauds phenomenon or myotonic dystrophy.

PYOGENIC GRANULOMA - his growth is a rapidly developing bump which bleeds easily and is friable. Usually these growths form after a trauma such as a skin burn or insect bite. Pregnancy can also promote the development of these growths. Treatment can be carried out with gentle cautery, shave removal and steroid injections.

SEBACEOUS HYPERPLASIA - this type of growth in seen in those patients with oily skin and can be confused in some instances with basal cell cancer. Lesions are reminiscent of round "doughnuts" with a central depression and occur where oil gland numbers are in excess. They often develop over the forehead, nose, and cheek areas. Lesions can be removed with a CO2 laser or photodynamic therapy or gentle cautery.

SEBORRHEIC KERATOSIS - his growth is perhaps the most common growth seen in our practice. Lesions are inherited and do not usually form until the age of 30. At this point in time, they can continue to occur over a lifetime. SKs may be few or multiple. They can sometimes be confused with melanoma. Removal is completed with shave excision. They are only covered by insurance if they are actively inflamed or painful.

SKIN TAGS - these growths are benign, soft brown or oval lesions which form where friction or rubbing is noted to happen. They are often seen in areas such as the neck, underarms, groin and below the breasts. Skin tags are usually asymptomatic but they can become tender or inflamed after trauma. Removal can be carried out using light electrocautery or gradle scissor removal. Their removal is usually considered cosmetic.

SOLAR LENTIGOS - (liver spots, age spots, "wisdom spots")-flat tan brown spots that usually occur on the hands and/or face of patients. They arise due to the sun's stimulation of skin pigment without an increase in the number of pigment cells. Solar Lentigos can evolve into Seborrheic Keratosis. We can readily remove these cosmetically using a Medlite C6® Laser or the Fraxel re:store® Laser.

SPIDER ANGIOMA - growths which are found on the face or trunk and consist of fine blood vessels which radiate from a central arteriole. Lesions can be cosmetically treated using either V Beam laser surgery or gentle cautery. Spider Angiomas are sensitive to estrogen and can sometimes enlarge with liver disease or pregnancy.

STUCCO KERATOSIS - Stucco Keratosis (es) refer to a small benign warty growth that is usually found on the distal lower extremities. It seems to appear with a higher frequency in males; however, it is not inherited genetically. Usually, multiple lesions are found. The name stucco keratosis is derived from the "stuck on" appearance of the lesions.

SYRINGOMA - these growths develop from a benign sweat gland proliferation. Lesions occur around the eyes, face, upper chest and the groin area. Though syringomas are disfiguring, they can be gently removed with CO2 laser ablation or light cautery.


TELANGIECTASIA - dilated small vessels, usually found on the face (and legs) which can be associated with rosacea or other systemic disorders. Lesions can increase in size due to heat, the ingestion of caffeinated beverages and even stress. Fixed telangiectasias can be cosmetically treated with our V-Beam or IPL devices.

VENOUS LAKE - Venous lakes present as dark blue-to-purple compressible papules caused by a dilation of small veins. They are easily compressed and tend to occur on sun-exposed skin, i.e. the ears and lips of elderly patients. Although venous lakes are benign, they can mimic skin cancer in certain instances.

WART - refers to a benign growth(s) that is caused by a papilloma (virus) infection. Treatment can be difficult and may require laser, duct tape or medications which boost the immune system e.g., Tagamet®.



WEN (PILAR CYST) - the second most common cyst (which derives from the hair shaft). Overlying hair growth is normal. These lesions are found on the scalp and more commonly seen in women. . Treatment is carried out with surgical excision which results in the removal of a thick walled intact mass. Recurrences are rare if the cyst wall is removed intact.

XANTHELASMA - refers to tiny yellow plaques that are slightly raised on the skin surface of the upper or lower eyelids. Xanthelasma is caused by tiny deposits of fat in the skin and they are often associated with abnormal blood fat (lipid) levels. Xanthelasma can be treated with CO2 laser surgery.