Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology Near Frederick, MD
Pathologic Lesion Removal at Will Surgical Arts
Finding an unusual growth, lump, or sore somewhere on your face, scalp, neck, or inside your mouth can be unsettling. Sometimes these things turn out to be nothing serious. But sometimes they need to be properly evaluated and removed by a surgeon with the right training to handle them safely, and to make sure you know exactly what you're dealing with.
“Pathologic lesion” is the medical term for abnormal growths or changes in tissue that don't belong there. These can include cysts in the jaw, unusual skin lesions on the face, scalp, or neck, growths inside the mouth, and other conditions that affect the oral and maxillofacial region. Patients are often referred to our practice after their primary care doctor or dentist has identified something that needs to be evaluated and removed by a specialist.
At Will Surgical Arts in Ijamsville, MD, Dr. Michael Will and Dr. Brian Will treat pathologic lesions of the mouth, jaw, face, scalp, and neck. Our practice serves patients from throughout the Frederick area and the greater Washington, DC metro region.
If you've been referred for a lesion evaluation or removal, or if you've noticed something that concerns you, request a consultation at Will Surgical Arts today.
What Pathologic Lesions Are & How We Treat Them
Understanding Pathologic Lesion Evaluation & Removal
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely trained to identify and treat abnormal growths and lesions in and around the mouth, face, neck and jaw. Here's a closer look at what that means in practice.
What Counts as a Pathologic Lesion?
A pathologic lesion is simply any area of tissue that has changed in a way it shouldn't. That might mean a cyst, which is a fluid-filled sac, that has formed in the jawbone. It might be an unusual bump or sore inside the mouth that hasn't gone away. It could be an abnormal skin growth on the face, scalp, or neck that a doctor wants to have evaluated more closely. Some lesions are completely harmless. Others need to be removed to prevent complications, and some need to be sent to a lab for testing so you can get a definitive answer about the diagnosis.
How Patients Usually Find Their Way to Us
Most patients come to us after being referred by their primary care doctor, their dentist, or another specialist who noticed something during a routine exam and wanted a surgeon's opinion. Others come in because they've noticed something themselves and want answers. Either way, the first step is a thorough evaluation so we can understand exactly what we're looking at.
How Treatment Works
Treatment depends on what the lesion is and where it's located. In most cases, the right approach is surgical removal. Depending on the type and location, the procedure may be done right in our office under local anesthesia, or it may require sedation or general anesthesia. Once removed, tissue is often sent to a pathology lab for analysis so the results can confirm the diagnosis. Our team will walk you through everything that's involved before any procedure takes place, and we'll make sure you understand your results and what, if any, follow-up is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of lesions do oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat a wide range of abnormal tissue growths in and around the mouth, jaw, face, scalp, and neck. This includes cysts that form in the jawbone, unusual growths or sores inside the mouth, and abnormal skin lesions on the face, scalp, or neck. Some of these conditions are benign, meaning non-cancerous, and simply need to be removed to prevent them from growing or causing problems. Others require lab analysis after removal to determine the diagnosis. Our surgeons have the specialized training to evaluate, remove, and interpret these findings and to make sure you have a clear picture of your diagnosis and next steps.
Do I need a referral to be seen for a lesion at Will Surgical Arts?
You don't necessarily need a formal referral to schedule a consultation with us, though many patients do come to us after being sent by their primary care doctor or dentist. If you've noticed something unusual in your mouth, on your jaw, or on your face or neck and want to have it evaluated, you're welcome to reach out to us directly. Getting it checked sooner rather than later is always the right call. Even if it turns out to be nothing concerning, having a professional evaluation gives you peace of mind, and if treatment is needed, starting early almost always leads to a simpler process and a better outcome.
What happens after a lesion is removed?
After removal, the tissue is typically sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis. This tells us definitively the diagnosis of the lesion, which guides any follow-up care that might be needed. In many cases, removal is all that's required, and there's nothing further to do once healing is complete. In other cases, the findings may indicate a need for additional monitoring or treatment. Our team will go over your results with you clearly, answer all of your questions, and make sure you understand exactly where things stand and what, if anything, comes next.
How do I schedule a consultation for a pathologic lesion at Will Surgical Arts?
Getting started is easy. You can request an appointment online or give us a call at (301) 874-1707 , and our friendly team will find a time that works for you. Whether you've been referred by another provider or you're reaching out on your own, we're here to help. We look forward to seeing you!