Lipoma or Cyst? Should I be worried?

Question

I have a growth now for over 10 years. When I went to the doctor he told me it was a cyst and that I should not worry about it unless it hurts. . I have 2 from trauma to my ribs from my brother jabbing/prodding me unexpectedly; repeatedly when I was 15. Each started where the lowest rib begin and has spread laterally but adjacent to the lowest ribs on each side so they are large and cause discomfort. I'm concerned with bleeding as I do not accept blood should I be worried about death?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur under the skin and less commonly within the muscle. They are associated with mild discomfort and a lump underneath the skin. It is always best to talk to an expert plastic surgeon to determine whether the lipoma is possibly a cyst or a tumor or hernia. We would have to remove the lipoma to be sure that it is not something else and we usually do this by sending it to a pathologist for evaluation. If a lipoma is painful, then an exam is needed to make sure it is not compressing on a nerve or whether the diagnosis is different. Aftercare for a lipoma includes gentle compression and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily on the wound.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

A cyst  feels harder firmer and usually has a punctum or large pore on top of it period a lipoma usually softer and more freely movable. Occasionally it is difficult to tell whether a mass would be a cyst or Lipoma   those are treated in the same fashion by surgical excision. And experienced board certified plastic surgeon by the American Board of plastic surgery with extensive experience in cyst and lipoma removal should be able to keep the bleeding to a bare minimum and scarring as well.Best Regards,Dr. Gartner

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Whether a lipoma or a cyst, either can usually be removed easily with minimal blood loss in most patients. I would recommend you see a board certified plastic or general surgeon for consultation. At that time they will go over potential problems and their incidence. Depending on the size it can be done in the office under local anesthesia or with IV sedation or general anesthetic if done in a certified surgery center or hospital.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas can be differentiated from cysts. Cysts typically have a punctum, like the opening at the top of a zit. Lipomas do not.  Neither should have been caused by the trauma noted. If they are large and uncomfortable, then you should seek surgical removal by a board certified plastic surgeon.  With proper technique, bleeding can be controlled and the blood loss is quite low.

Anatoli Freiman, MD · Answer

The only way to truly know what the lesion is is to have it removed and tested, which is typically done by dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

Lipoma or Cyst? Should I be worried?

Answers (5)