Our Family Medicine doctors are trained to diagnose and treat several types of benign skin growths and lesions.
They are also able to collect skin biopsies to test and see if a growth is cancerous.
A cyst is a collection of fluid in a small pocket. On occasion, a cyst may grow under your skin.
While the majority of cysts are not dangerous, you should have yours checked so your doctor can determine its seriousness. If it's causing discomfort or found to be dangerous, removal is an option.
A doctor will conduct a careful examination to evaluate the cyst that may include:
Depending on the size, nature, and location of the cyst, our family medicine doctors can remove or empty it during your office visit.
In some cases, a cyst will require a surgeon for removal. If this occurs, we can refer you to a surgeon.
Visit our Health Library for more information about cysts (links below will open a new window or tab in your browser).
A mole is a dark, sometimes raised spot on your skin.
While the majority of moles are harmless, some moles may be the early stages of skin cancer. These moles can be dangerous.
It's important to have moles evaluated by a doctor who can determine the presence of cancerous cells. UPMC's family medicine doctors evaluate moles every day.
Our doctors can perform a simple in-office examination of your skin. In some cases, a small sample of the mole (a biopsy) is taken and evaluated.
Warts are lumpy skin growths caused by a virus and are very common.
Our family medicine doctors offer a number of methods to remove and treat warts during your visit to our office.
Wart treatments include:
Sometimes, you may need to return to the office several times for repeated treatments until the warts are gone.
If you or your child has a suspicious cyst, mole, or wart that needs to be evaluated or removed, please make an appointment at one of our family medicine locations.
We can help to reassure you that it is nothing to worry about or help you get the testing you need to find the correct treatment.
Your health information, right at your fingertips. Select MyUPMC to access your UPMC health information. For patients of UPMC-affiliated doctors in Central Pa, select UPMC Central Pa Portal. Patients of UPMC Cole should select the UPMC Cole Connect Patient Portal.
The portal for all UPMC patients EXCEPT those in Central Pa.
The portal for UPMC patients in Central Pa.
The portal for UPMC Cole patients receiving inpatient care.
