Most skin tumours are not cancer!

Although a concern about skin cancer is why patients come and see us at the skin cancer clinic, most people do not have skin cancer and even if people have things growing on the skin, most are not a concern. Most skin tumours, in fact, are benign, that is, not cancer. These rarely, if ever, turn into cancers. These tumours include: ·    

Most types of moles 

 

Seborrhoeic keratoses

– tan, brown, or black raised spots with a "waxy" texture, or rough surface

Haemangiomas

– benign blood vessel growths often called strawberry spots or port wine stains

Lipomas

– soft growths of benign fat cells ·        

Warts

– rough-surfaced growths caused by a virus

 

But there are other skin changes that may turn into cancer over time. It can be difficult to distinguish benign lesions from precancerous lesions and skin cancer so be sure to come and see one of the doctors at our clinics if you are at all concerned.

Feedback much appreciated.

Dr Ian Katz ian.katz@southernsun.com.au