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Mole Removal by Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon?

I have a mole on the border of my lip that I need to have removed because it is malignant, but I'm not sure if I should let my dermatologist remove it. Because it is located on my face (and because I don't want to look deformed after it is removed), I am wondering if I should go to a plastic surgeon or a facial plastic surgeon instead. What type of doctor is most qualified to remove a mole from my face without making me look deformed?

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In this case, it may take a team approach. Depending on...

In this case, it may take a team approach. Depending on the type of malignancy that it is, the best option may be to have a specially trained dermatologist perform Mohs micrographic surgery to remove the lesion and a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon perform the reconstruction. Mohs micrographic surgery is a procedure where a specially trained physician, usually a specially trained dermatologist, will remove the lesion in such a way as to be able to examine the borders at the... more

D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Play it safe with your Face

Although dermatologists are completely qualified to remove moles, plastic surgeons are more qualified to keep the scar minimum afterwards. Depending on your insurance, it may be possible for your excision to be covered, even if it is removed by a doctor outside of the network. If your main objective is to have your face looking as if nothing were ever there, it is worth the expense for a board certified plastic surgeon to remove your mole. Especially since it is bordering your lip, which is... more

Darrick E. Antell, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

To avoid being deformed, you need a surgeon...

To avoid being deformed, you need a surgeon specificially experienced with operating on the lip. While some dermatologists have experience in these things, I think in general for a malignancy in this area, that I would suggest you see a surgeon. Whether it should be a facial plastic or a general plastic is tough to say. Both groups have adequate training and understanding. It would come down to the experience of the individual doctor. I'll tell you what I would do if I had this: I would... more

Steven Teitelbaum, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Plastic surgeon for lip cancer removal

Both plastic surgeons and dermatologists can remove skin cancers. However the plastic surgeon is experienced in the highest level of wound closure to achieve the best possible scar. Skin cancer excision requires wide margins and the scarring will be more extensive than that of benign lesions so it is important to place yourself in the hands of a surgeon who can address the complexity of closure in the lip, particularly if the lesion extends past the vermillion border dividing the pink of the... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Both a dermatologic surgeon and a plastic surgeon are qualified

It is quite sad that there is so much bias in the answer to your question. Both are qualified to operate in this area. After all, the only things dermatologists do is operate on skin! The important thing to realize is that if it is appropriate for your tumor, a Moh's dermatologic surgeon is the only doctor who can control the margins. This means that they take the minimum amount of tissue to achieve a cure. Not all melanomas qualify for this approach. Some require very large excisions to... more

Jacqueline Calkin, MD

Sacramento Dermatologic Surgeon

How to Choose Between a Dermatologist and a Plastic Surgeon

It's a common misconception that certain specialties are better at surgery because of their training. The success of your results depends entirely upon the skill and artistry of your physician. Look for a physician who specializes in skin surgery and mole removals and has a great deal of experience. Find someone with whom you are comfortable. Look at their results and at their reputation. Choosing based on their specialty alone would not be the way to go.

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Mitchell Schwartz, MD

South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

Operating on the lip is basic training for plastic surgeons

You need a surgeon who is trained in removal and reconstruction of lip defects. If your surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery you can be confident he/she is well trained to perform this procedure. That being said there are other doctors that may be qualified through experience and post residency training to do this type of surgery. You should do some research and understand what kind of training your doctor has, since every doctor with a medical license is... more

Dev Wali, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Mole Removal

Board certified facial plastic surgeons, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists are all trained in the art of mole removal. Some have more experience than others. Interview your surgeon carefully to determine their experience with mole removal. Best of luck!

Michael Sullivan, MD

Columbus Facial Plastic Surgeon

Who Should Remove Your Malignant Lesion

You should pick whichever specialist you feel is most qualified, and specifically which doctor in that specialty will give you the best result. Plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, Mohs surgeons and dermatologists are all qualified to do your surgery; however, some doctors within each of those specialties may be more experienced and more skillful at the particular procedure. My own recommendation would be a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon who is a member of the American College of... more

Andrew Kaufman, MD

Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon

Mole removal on your face

Dermatologists and specialized dermatologic surgeons are experts in lesion removal. Plastic surgeons are also trained in removal of lesions and reconstruction. Your choice of who to have remove the lesion will depend on the diagnosis. If it is a cancer then a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon specializes in excising the cancer with the highest cure rate and is trained in reconstructive surgery. If it is benign then either fellowship trained physician is qualifed... more

Shawn Allen, MD

Boulder Dermatologist

Mole Removal

It is unclear what your lesion is and malignant it is. Although I might have a biased opinion, I would recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon who treats a lot of facial lumps and bumps and has experience in delicate reconstruction in the lip area. If your lesion is malignant, to remove it completely may require that a significant portion of what appears as 'normal' tissue must also be removed to minimize the risk of the cancer coming back. This... more

Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Both dermatologists and plastic surgeons are qualified

Both dermatologists and plastic surgeon are adequately trained to do the mole removal. The decision is based more on the skill and interest of the specific physician.

Kris M. Reddy, MD

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Mole on a lip will require a dermatologist and a Mohs surgeon

A biopsy of the lesion is always a pre-requisite for further treatment. This is typically done by a dermatologist. If the lesion requires further surgical treatment, a dermatologist with advanced training in Mohs micrographic surgery is your best bet. Look for someone with good reputation, who graduated from a fellowship approved by American College of Mohs Surgeons (http://www.mohscollege.org/), and whose practice is primarily surgical. Most Mohs surgeons excel at... more

Larisa Ravitskiy, MD

Columbus Dermatologist

Cancer of the lip may require a dermatologist AND a plastic surgeon

If you have a lip cancer, you may benefit from seeing both a dermatologist AND a plastic surgeon. Typically a dermatologist who is trained in Mohs surgery will remove the cancer and immediately examine the tissues under a microscope to confirm complete removal. Subsequently (usually the same day) you will see a plastic surgeon to reconstruct the lip.

Ronald Friedman, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Both are qualified

Either or a dermatologist or a facial plastic surgeon is qualified to remove skin cancers and repair the defect. What you need to do is find a doctor with a good reputation that you feel comfortable. In my city I work closely with several specialized dermatologists that remove skin cancers where I am consulted for cosmetically sensitive reconstructions. This arrangement works out well for the patient. In your case you have a more unusual case if you do indeed have a malignant mole which... more

Ivan Wayne, MD

Oklahoma City Facial Plastic Surgeon

Mole Removal on Lip

Although many Dermatologists are perfectly capable of removing a mole on your lip, most would have no objection if you wanted to see a Facial Plastic Surgeon or Plastic Surgeon. I have a number of Dermatologists refer to me in my area and they generally tend to be patients who have a higher degree of concern about how the scar will eventually look. As Dr. Zubowicz pointed out, the greatest priority is having the malignancy removed.

Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

Mallignant melanoma of lip-get it removed by anyone who can guarantee margins

If you have a malignant lesion of your mouth it needs to be removed with adequate margins by someone familiar with the biologic behavior of the tumor. Forget the cosmetics of the operationk your life is at stake. I would favor a plastic surgeon because they are, after all, "surgeons". Get cured first and worry about appearance later.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Mole removal on the lip

A mole is medically called a nevus. A nevus may be removed by either a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. Either can perform this procedure and it is best to ask the surgeon, derm or plastic surgeon, the size of scar expected from this procedure. This will help you make a choice as to the physician that you want to perform your surgery. .

Steven Hacker, MD

West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

"Mole removal on the lip"

It depends on what "malignancy" means. There are different types of skin cancers. A basal cell carcinoma or a squamous cell carcinoma on the lip is best removed by a Mohs surgeon who is generally a dermatologist with extra training in doing Mohs procedures. You may want to consider having a plastic surgeon close the wound after the Mohs surgeon performs the excision. Other lesions on the lip can be melanoma or a dyplastic mole. These types of lesions are not treated with Mohs so I... more

Sharon Theresa McLaughlin MD

Long Island City Plastic Surgeon

Dermatologic or plastic surgeon depends on surgeon's personal skill level

And that is the truth. There are well-trained, conscientious dermatologic surgeons, and there are sloppy plastic surgeons. Interview your surgeon, get a personal referral if possible, ask to see other results, and go with your gut. Do not be rushed into a procedure by attitude. A good result can be had by either one, if the surgeon is honest, properly trained, experienced, and careful.

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH

Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

Usually a plastic surgeon

In general , while I feel that dermatologists do an excellent job in excising moles, in this region you might be better off with a board certified plastic surgeon. This is a somewhat difficult area to work on. The musculature is closer to the surface and a little complex. What I would look for is a plastic surgeon who came out of the oral surgery area. Most larger cities should have this type of plastic surgeon. I hope I am not ruffling the feathers of my dermatology colleagues. I am... more