Medical dermatology · Skin conditions
Cysts and lipomas: lumps under the skin and how they are removed
Cysts and lipomas are benign lumps under the skin. An epidermoid cyst, often called a sebaceous cyst, is a sac filled with keratin, which can become inflamed and infected; a lipoma is a soft, movable collection of fat cells. Both can be removed through dermatologic surgery in the office, under local anesthesia, and the tissue is sent for analysis. At Yamagata Dermatologia, in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, diagnosis and treatment are carried out by dermatologists.
Symptoms and how to recognize it
- Round lump under the skin, growing slowly
- In a cyst, a small dark dot on the surface and discharge of whitish material
- In a lipoma, a soft consistency and mobility to the touch
- Inflammation, pain and redness when the cyst becomes inflamed
Causes and risk factors
An epidermoid cyst forms when cells from the skin surface become trapped beneath it and continue producing keratin, which accumulates in a sac. It is common on the face, neck, back and scalp. A lipoma is a benign tumor of fat cells, of not fully known cause, with genetic influence.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is clinical, made by the dermatologist by examining the lump. For deep, large or uncertain lesions, dermatologic ultrasound assesses the size, depth and features of the lesion and helps plan the surgery.
Treatments
Removal is preferably done when the cyst is not inflamed, which reduces the risk of recurrence and improves the scar.
- Dermatologic surgeryComplete removal of the cyst or lipoma, with analysis of the tissue.
- Intralesional injectionControl of inflammation in inflamed cysts, before removal.
Living with it and prevention
- Do not squeeze or pick at cysts.
- Seek evaluation when the lump becomes inflamed, grows or changes in appearance.
When to see a dermatologist
See a dermatologist if you notice a lump under the skin that grows, hurts, becomes inflamed or bothers you, or when you are unsure what the lesion is.
All procedures are recommended and performed after an individual medical evaluation. Results vary from person to person.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Are a sebaceous cyst and an epidermoid cyst the same thing?
In everyday language, yes. The correct name for most of these cysts is epidermoid cyst, because they contain keratin, not oil from the sebaceous glands.
Can I squeeze the cyst?
No. Squeezing can rupture the cyst under the skin, cause inflammation, infection and scarring, and make removal harder.
Can a lipoma turn into cancer?
A lipoma is benign and rarely transforms. Lipomas that grow quickly, are painful or very large should be evaluated, sometimes with ultrasound.
Does every cyst or lipoma need to be removed?
Not necessarily. Removal is indicated when the lesion bothers you, grows, often becomes inflamed or the diagnosis is uncertain.
Team
Medical team
See also