I Have a Lump on the Back of my Head. Could it Be Something Other Than Lipoma?

Question

I went to the doctor and she said it was lipoma but I did research and it says lipoma is soft and it there is no real discomfort. Also it said you can move it under the skin but mine hurts its hard and you can't move it. Also there is a smaller bump like 2 inches underneath. What do you think it is?

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Lumps on the back of the head are commonly lipomas, but it is possible that your lump could be something else.  An examination would be needed to try and determine what your lump might be.  Sometimes lumps can be made of bone and sometimes they are made up of soft tissue.  You might try getting a second opinion from another doctor to see if there is a difference of opinion in your diagnosis or not.

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

Matthew Richardson, MD · Answer

There are many things that could cause a growth on the scalp such as a lipoma, cyst, osteoma (bony growth), skin cancer, or lymph node. A lipoma can usually be diagnosed with relatively good certainty by physical exam and history. Some lipomas can be adherent to muscle or bone, and might be less mobile than others. When there is a painful mass and the diagnosis is unclear, a biopsy or excision is recommended, but an in-person evaluation is warranted prior to any treatment or formal opinions.
All the best,

Lawrence Kass, MD · Answer

Of course, it is impossible to say without seeing you.  Perhaps, this is not a lipoma and could represent an epidermal inclusion cyst or something else.  The only way to be sure is to have it removed and submitted for pathology.

Erik Borncamp, MD · Answer

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

I Have a Lump on the Back of my Head. Could it Be Something Other Than Lipoma?

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I Have a Lump on the Back of my Head. Could it Be Something Other Than Lipoma?

Answers (10)

Answer: Lump on back of the head

Answer: Lump on back of the head

Answer: Head Lumps

Answer: Head Lumps

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Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.