Do lipomas and cysts need to be removed? The board-certified dermatologists at Schlessinger MD are here to discuss what they are and what to expect from your visit. Please keep in mind that this information is not meant to be medical advice. It’s best to see a board-certified dermatologist if you have a concerning area on your skin or body.
In this blog, we’ll discuss:
- What a lipoma is
- What a cyst is
- The difference between a lipoma or cyst
- When lipoma or cyst removal surgery is needed
What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a type of soft tissue tumor made up of fat cells. When they’re new, they are usually soft and painless, though they can become harder over time. While they are considered tumors, they’re almost always benign and otherwise harmless.
Anyone can develop a lipoma, but as they tend to take many years to develop, they’re most common among adults. Among the population, about one in every thousand people develop one, and they can be found anywhere on the body.
While their cause is unknown, genetics or trauma to the area where the lipoma appears likely plays a role. Lipomas also tend to be more common with patients experiencing obesity, high cholesterol or diabetes and occur more frequently in men.
What is a cyst?
Cyst is a broader term referring to capsules or sacs that form inside the body or the skin. There are many different types of cysts, and they can be filled with fluid, air or pus.
Cysts are almost always benign, and most develop when dead skin cells build up under the skin, forming a small cave-like ball surrounded by a lining. Cysts can be found almost anywhere on the body.
A pilar cyst, for example, is a cyst usually found on the scalp. There are many other kinds, such as those that form near the earlobe or in the sebaceous glands of your skin, called sebaceous cysts or epidermal cysts.
Most cysts aren’t dangerous and don’t require treatment unless they become inflamed or infected. While a cyst is different from a tumor, it’s easy to mistake one for the other. If you have an unexplained bump on your skin, it’s integral to see a board-certified dermatologist.
How to know if you have a lipoma or cyst
Knowing the difference between a lipoma or cyst is ultimately up to an expert. At Schlessinger MD, we’re experts in all things skin, and we can help you determine if something is cause for concern. While lipomas and cysts aren’t usually problematic, a dermatologist can help rule out the possibility of something else.
We understand that a lipoma or cyst may be bothersome. If it’s causing pain or discomfort, lipoma removal or cyst removal surgery is possible.
When is a lipoma or cyst removal surgery necessary?
When you visit a board-certified dermatologist for a lipoma or cyst, they will both look at and feel the lump to determine its cause. However, with a lipoma, diagnosis can only be made under a microscope. This requires removing the growth and sending it to a lab for a biopsy or pathologic exam.
“While lipomas are not commonly dangerous, they can sometimes be bothersome or even painful. If they are increasing in size and causing discomfort, removing them is possible,” says board-certified dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon and Mohs surgeon Dr. Daniel Schlessinger.
When it comes to cysts, there are many different treatment avenues. A board-certified dermatologist can usually determine if you have a cyst based on a physical exam. If the cyst appears inflamed or infected, they may drain the cyst and prescribe antibiotics to shrink its size.
“If a cyst is inflamed or infected and needs to be drained, cyst removal surgery may be necessary. This involves numbing the area where the cyst is and opening it via a small hole. Antibiotics are usually needed for several weeks. Once the swelling and infection have gone down, additional surgery will usually be needed to remove the remaining cyst sac,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger. “We always send cysts for pathologic confirmation (biopsy) to make sure that it is a cyst and not a concerning growth, and that it has been fully removed.”
The many different treatment avenues, in addition to catching concerning issues early, is why seeing a board-certified dermatologist is important. Whether you have a lipoma, a cyst or something else, an expert can help you determine what it is and if it needs to be removed.
For questions like lipoma removal near me and cyst removal surgery cost, the experts at Schlessinger MD are happy to help. Visit our appointment portal to schedule a consultation today.