Thank you for your question. As the other physicians have explained, it’s unusual for a “lipoma “to become infected. This is because a lipoma consists mostly of benign, clean fatty tissue. More likely this is an infected sebaceous cyst. These can lie dormant for years but then bacteria gets into the white pasty junk in the cyst and it becomes infected. They then swell, become painful and red. Lancing may work temporarily with antibiotics to improve your symptoms. However, if the cyst capsule is not removed there is a possibility the cyst heals, plugs again and re-accumulates. Best to have the cyst completely excised. There are 2 options for this: One would be to lance the cyst and then complete a course of antibiotics followed by removal of the cyst/capsule in its entirety, later in a clean situation. The other would be to remove the cyst/capsule entirely now with the understanding that the wound may need to be packed open to prevent an abscess. This is most often done by General Surgeons and/or Dermatologists. Though, I Imagine a Plastic Surgeon could do this as well. Best of luck, Erik Borncamp, MD, FACS
Yes. It could be something else. Lumps on the scalp are usually cysts. The oily secretions that would accumulate in your hair if you did not shower for week comes from glands in the skin. These can become plugged up and cause cysts. These can become hard and firm and even fixed if the scalp is tight where they are. While it is possible you have a lipoma, more likely you have a “pilar cyst” or “sebaceous cyst”. The good news is both the cysts and lipomas are usually benign (not cancer). Especially if they’ve been stable for many years without change. Still the only way to know for sure would be to remove it and have if looked at under a microscope. Best to see your M.D. for evaluation. Signs such as rapid growth, pain, bleeding or other strange occurrences should cause you to biopsy. Stay Well, Erik Borncamp, MD, FACS
Great question! Like some of the things in life it depends. Small lipomas can often be removed in the office under local anesthesia with no restrictions. Larger lipomas, including those deep in the muscle may require outpatient surgery with “twilight anesthesia “and may result in activity restrictions. Best to discuss with your surgeon prior to surgery. Hope that helps, Erik Borncamp M.D., FACS
Thank you for your question. I get asked that a lot by my patients. The short answer is yes, a lipoma is a tumor. But many things or tumors. Tumor just means lump of tissue. There are good tumors and bad tumors. The majority of tumors are benign (good). Some tumors can be malignant (bad, cancer). And in rare cases, there are benign tumors that, while not malignant, can recur and cause problems. The good news is fatty tumors (lipomas) are almost always benign. Still, to be sure, you do want to make sure you’re evaluated by a physician. There are some very rare cancers (liposarcomas) that can appear benign but are not. Rapid increase in size, pain, skin changes, numbness, etc are symptoms of concern. Stay Well, Erik Borncamp MD , FACS
Hello, And thank you for a question. The lump you are describing is most likely a cyst. Cysts can get infected can become painful and increase in size. Often, they will rupture and drain. The inflammation and redness may improve with antibiotics but the cyst will persist and cause problems in the future if not excised. An asymptomatic cyst can safely be left in place for life. However, a cyst that causes pain or becomes infected should be removed. Please contact the general surgeon who should be able to excise that on an outpatient basis. Stay well, Erik Borncamp M.D., FACS
