Physician Treatment of Skin Irregularities
For an appointment with Dr. Sommers please call 636-978-8600
Lumps UNDER the skin
Other than problems with the skin itself, there are a number lumps
that develop under the skin which can be visible because of the distortion of
the skin above them.
Most of these are not serious, but can be removed
for comfort, cosmetic reasons, to prevent enlargement, and to confirm that the
spot is not a serious problem. Two are covered here:
Epidermal
Cysts
An epidermal cyst -- also known as a sebaceous cyst -- is a freely
movable nodule with essentially normal overlying skin. It is one of the
most common benign skin tumors. The cyst wall is made of true
epidermis (the most superficial part of the skin). The most common
locations include the face, ears, neck, back and scalp. A central pore may
be seen. The cyst contains a whitish cheese-like substance. This
material is broken down keratin (a major component of
skin).
Epidermal
Cyst
Lipoma
-
A lipoma is a growth of fat cells in a thin, fibrous capsule usually found
just below the skin. Lipomas are found most often on the trunk, neck, upper
thighs, upper arms, and armpits, but they can occur almost anywhere in the
body. One or more lipomas may be present at the same time. Lipomas are the
most common noncancerous soft tissue growth. They often are described as
having a 'doughy' feeling when examined.
What causes a lipoma? The cause of lipomas is not
completely understood, but the tendency to develop them is inherited. A minor
injury may trigger the growth. Being overweight does not cause lipomas.
What are the symptoms of a lipoma?
Lipomas usually:
- Are small [0.4 in. to 1.2 in.] and felt just under the skin.
- Are movable and have a soft, rubbery consistency.
- Do not cause pain.
- Remain the same size over years or grow very slowly.
Often the most bothersome symptom is the location or increased size that
makes the lipoma noticeable by others.
How are lipomas diagnosed?
A lipoma can usually be diagnosed by its appearance alone, but your health
professional may want to remove it to make sure the growth is
noncancerous.
How are lipomas treated?
Lipomas do not generally require treatment. Because lipomas are not
cancerous growths and cannot become cancerous, they do not need to be removed.
There is no known treatment to prevent lipomas or affect their growth.
Lipoma
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Most of these are not serious, but can be removed for comfort, cosmetic reasons, to prevent enlargement, and to confirm that the spot is not a serious problem. Two are covered here:
Epidermal Cysts
An epidermal cyst -- also known as a sebaceous cyst -- is a freely movable nodule with essentially normal overlying skin. It is one of the most common benign skin tumors. The cyst wall is made of true epidermis (the most superficial part of the skin). The most common locations include the face, ears, neck, back and scalp. A central pore may be seen. The cyst contains a whitish cheese-like substance. This material is broken down keratin (a major component of skin).
Epidermal Cyst
Lipoma
-
A lipoma is a growth of fat cells in a thin, fibrous capsule usually found just below the skin. Lipomas are found most often on the trunk, neck, upper thighs, upper arms, and armpits, but they can occur almost anywhere in the body. One or more lipomas may be present at the same time. Lipomas are the most common noncancerous soft tissue growth. They often are described as having a 'doughy' feeling when examined.
What causes a lipoma? The cause of lipomas is not completely understood, but the tendency to develop them is inherited. A minor injury may trigger the growth. Being overweight does not cause lipomas.
What are the symptoms of a lipoma?
Lipomas usually:
- Are small [0.4 in. to 1.2 in.] and felt just under the skin.
- Are movable and have a soft, rubbery consistency.
- Do not cause pain.
- Remain the same size over years or grow very slowly.
Often the most bothersome symptom is the location or increased size that makes the lipoma noticeable by others.
How are lipomas diagnosed?
A lipoma can usually be diagnosed by its appearance alone, but your health professional may want to remove it to make sure the growth is noncancerous.
How are lipomas treated?
Lipomas do not generally require treatment. Because lipomas are not cancerous growths and cannot become cancerous, they do not need to be removed. There is no known treatment to prevent lipomas or affect their growth.
Lipoma
- Back
to Skin Cancers Page