Benign tumor growths, although not true cancers, share some of their same characteristics, such as viral causation, transformation of cells, and autonomous growth. A number of specific viruses are known to cause benign tumors. They are by far the most common of any new growths a person might have.
Warts are benign tumors that occur in almost any location. They are very common on the hands. However, in spite of folklore rumors, they are not caused by handling frogs! A wart virus penetrates the skin and transforms dermal cells causing this unusual growth. When it occurs on the sole of the foot, around the nail beds, or in the genital organs, it may be difficult to eradicate, even quite painful.
Warts can usually be frozen with liquid nitrogen, or may be removed chemically, such as with strong acids. Many physicians prefer to destroy the wart with an electric current (cautery) after appropriately anesthetizing the skin. Many of these can be successfully frozen or removed at home, if appropriate antiseptic precautions are observed.
Skin tags and papillomas are growths that protrude from the skin or mucous membrane. Some of these can be tied off with a strong silk string, while others with a larger base require local excision, freezing technique, or chemical cautery. Soft lumps of varying sizes under the skin are often lipomas, fatty tumors that usually develop autonomously in the fatty tissue beneath the skin. Sometimes for cosmetic reasons these are removed by a simple surgical procedure done under local anesthesia. Fibrous tumors (fibromas) and various types of moles also can be removed to prevent cosmetic blemish, irritation, or the avoidance of further growth.
Warts are benign tumors that occur in almost any location. They are very common on the hands. However, in spite of folklore rumors, they are not caused by handling frogs! A wart virus penetrates the skin and transforms dermal cells causing this unusual growth. When it occurs on the sole of the foot, around the nail beds, or in the genital organs, it may be difficult to eradicate, even quite painful.
Warts can usually be frozen with liquid nitrogen, or may be removed chemically, such as with strong acids. Many physicians prefer to destroy the wart with an electric current (cautery) after appropriately anesthetizing the skin. Many of these can be successfully frozen or removed at home, if appropriate antiseptic precautions are observed.
Skin tags and papillomas are growths that protrude from the skin or mucous membrane. Some of these can be tied off with a strong silk string, while others with a larger base require local excision, freezing technique, or chemical cautery. Soft lumps of varying sizes under the skin are often lipomas, fatty tumors that usually develop autonomously in the fatty tissue beneath the skin. Sometimes for cosmetic reasons these are removed by a simple surgical procedure done under local anesthesia. Fibrous tumors (fibromas) and various types of moles also can be removed to prevent cosmetic blemish, irritation, or the avoidance of further growth.
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