2440 N 11th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Main Office: 970-243-0900
Billing Office: 970-287-2282
Fax Number: 970-245-4235
Billing Email: csabilling@prsdata.com
Lump & Bump Biopsy and/or Removal Clinic
Ari Andersen, FNP
Ari Andersen is a Family Nurse Practitioner who has over 20 years of experience with the evaluation of surgical conditions, and with surgical procedures.
​
Ari created this clinic alongside her colleagues here at General Surgeons of Western Colorado because she is passionate about helping those with skin abnormalities and lesions.
First Steps for your Lump or Bump
Your skin lesion may be something that can be removed with an easy in office procedure.
-
The first step is to have an appointment. Ari can determine if your lump or bump can be watched, needs a biopsy, full excision, or freezing.
​
-
Next, she will decide if it is something she can schedule to do in the office or if it requires the operating room with one of the surgeons.
Common Skin Lesions
Sebaceous
Cysts
These are common, noncancerous cysts of the skin. Sebaceous cysts are mostly found on your face, neck, or torso. They grow slowly and aren’t life threatening, but they may become uncomfortable if they go unchecked. Cysts are atypical growths in your body that may contain liquid or semiliquid material.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Appearing as a red, patchy, often scale-like bump resembling a open sore, it is the second most common type of skin cancer. Squamous Cell Carcinoma tends to form on skin that gets the most sun exposure. Taking action early to treat it can prevent it from growing or spreading to other parts of the body.
Lipomas
​
A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that's most often found between your skin and the underlying muscle layer. It usually isn't tender and moves readily with slight finger pressure. A Lipoma isn't cancer and usually is harmless, but if it bothers you, is painful or is growing, you may want to have it removed.
Melanoma
​
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because of how quickly it spreads. The mole may appear suddenly as a dark spot on the skin that looks different from the rest. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. The first signs and symptoms are changes in an existing mole or a new pigmented/ unusual-looking growth on your skin.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma looks like a flesh-colored, pearl-like bump on the skin, and is the most common type of skin cancer. Early diagnoses and treatment is important. If it grows, it can harm and deform bones and nerves. The most common cause is years of frequent sun exposure or tanning beds.
Skin
Tags
Skin tags are small benign tumors that often form in areas where the skin creases, such as the neck, armpit and groin. They are composed of skin fibers, nerve cells, and fat cells. Though they are harmless, you can get them removed if you are unhappy with the way they look, or if they get caught in clothing or jewelry.
Warts
​
Warts are skin growths that are grainy and rough to the touch, and occur most often on your hands and fingers. It is common for warts to feature patterns of tiny black dots which are clotted blood vessels. They are caused from a virus and spread from touch, but most of the time are harmless. Many chose to get them treated because they can become bothersome.
Seborrheic Keratosis
These are common, non cancerous skin growths that appear brown, black or light tan. They are slightly raised, appearing scaly and scab like. Most often they are found on the face, neck, chest or back. Though they are harmless and not contagious, they can be treated and removed from becoming irritated by clothing or if the appearance of the lesions is unwanted.
Actinic
Keratosis
Also known as solar keratosis, these skin growths develop slowly over time and are caused from years of sun exposure. The most common places these lesions are found are on the face, lips, ears, forearms, scalp, neck or back of the hands. They appear as rough, scaly patches. It is important to not leave these untreated, as it raises the risk of developing into skin cancer.
Boils
Boils commonly first appear as reddish or purplish, tender bumps on the skin. These bumps fill with pus, growing larger and more painful until they rupture and drain. The cause is from bacteria infecting and inflaming one or more of your hair follicles under the skin. A group of boils that form a connected area of infection under the skin is called a carbuncle. They commonly appear on the face, back of the neck, armpits, thighs and buttocks. Proper treatment is important so they do not become infected and spread.