Consultant plastic surgeon led (UK GMC and Specialist Register)
Local anaesthetic, Day case
Histology available
Birmingham clinic
Many people notice a lump under the skin and assume it is a cyst, but it could also be a lipoma. While both are common and usually benign, they are quite different.
Cyst
A cyst is a small sac beneath the skin that contains keratin, fluid, or oily material produced by the skin. They usually arise from a blocked hair follicle or skin gland. Cysts are often firm, can sometimes become inflamed or infected, and may have a small central pore. They are commonly found on the scalp, face, neck, and back.
Lipoma
A lipoma is a benign growth of fatty tissue that sits deeper under the skin. It typically feels soft, smooth, and mobile when pressed. Lipomas usually grow slowly and are most often found on the shoulders, back, arms, or thighs.
How they are treated
Both cysts and lipomas can be removed with a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic. Complete removal of the cyst wall or fatty lump helps reduce the chance of recurrence, and the tissue is usually sent for routine laboratory analysis.
If you are unsure what type of lump you have, a consultation with a specialist can confirm the diagnosis and discuss whether removal is appropriate.
Cysts come in several forms. They have different names like epidermal cysts, dermoid cysts, inclusion cysts or sebaceous cysts. Cyst treatment depends on the type and where it is, as they can occur on the scalp, face, arms, back or just about anywhere. Should the cyst not be creating any problems, treatment is not required but some people would like them removed as they can be unsightly. Cysts can be treated with draining or removal. The substance in the cyst is usually thick and has a cottage cheese consistency, so drainage is ineffective and causes them to come back as the sac is still intact. Under surgical removal, the entire cyst—the small hair root that it originates from and the entire sac—is removed intact so that it doesn’t compromise the area and cause infection or result in a recurrence (The cyst coming back). Send us a photograph of the cyst for a quote now, removal starts from £700 which covers most cysts apart from the really big ones.
Lipomas rarely require treatment. It is usually a cosmetic concern rather than a health one. However, if the patient or healthcare practitioner believes it should be removed from your body, it is frequently surgically removed. This surgery involves making a small incision to entirely remove the fatty tumour. It is best to remove lipomas when they are small so that they do not cause problems with blood vessels, joints, or nerves. Early removal is critical to preventing problems. If you have a very large lipoma this can be painful and might not be removalble under local anaesthetic. Send us a photograph for a quote or book in for a consultation. It is common to have lipoma’s investigated prior to treatment, you may go to your GP and they might order an Ultrasound scan to get further information about the lump as there can be many reasons to have a lump. This also helps us be sure the lump is a lipoma and where it sits (between skin or under the muscle) as treatment can be different in both cases. Lipomas are more complex, bigger and deeper and can involved more surgery and treatment starts from £900 for most lipomas apart from the big ones.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, get in touch today.
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