Lumps and Bumps: Understanding, Evaluation, and Care
Discovering a lump or bump on your body can be an unsettling experience. While many lumps and bumps are harmless, they should never be ignored.
At West Auckland Medical & Surgical Centre, we are here to provide you with expert evaluation, diagnosis, and care for any unusual growths you may find. Here’s what you need to know:
What are Lumps and Bumps?
Lumps and bumps are a slang term for any lesions that are just beneath the skin. The common ones are lipoma (fatty tumour) and epidermoid cyst(toothpaste-laden cyst).
Other lumps may also include neuromas and other fluid-filled lesions such as ganglion cysts. Most of these lumps are non-cancerous (benign) but may cause pain, discomfort, or disfiguring and unsightly. Some of them such as epidermoid cysts can get infected causing sepsis.
The other common lumpiness is usually found in the female breast and occasionally the male breast too. Most of these are benign but a degree of suspicion should always be present.
The other skin lumps are called keloids. These are overgrowth of skin tissue after a cut or trauma. This usually happens in dark-skinned people. These are very hard to treat.
The worst form of lumps are those that are hard and deep, sometimes inside or deep to muscles. These can be classified as sarcomas and should be identified at the earliest. Some of the deep fatty tissue cancers also present as fluid-filled lumps.
Preparation
You would be seen by the surgeon (Dr Satya Shanbhag) for surgical assessment and discussion about the procedure and possible complications.
In some situations, you may be asked to do further investigations which may include a US or CT scanning to know what the lesion really is and its exact location.
Procedure
The operation would take about 30-120minutes depending on the nature of the lump. Some deep lumps go deeper such as lipomas approaching the back bones in the back.
The lump would be marked for perfect cut and removal in the first instance. After this, a generous in filtartion of local anaesthetic will be infiltrated to the area and surrounding it.
Usually the operation is straightforward and the lump is identified easily. Sometimes with fatty lumps the identification can be difficult due to fatty tissues already in the body plane.
Lumps and lesions in the face has to be carefully removed due to important nerves and arteries ( the figure in the middle panel shows a lump deep in the left jaw with surrounding facial nerve and the massater muscle). The lump is usually removed in a single mass and sent for histology.
Occasionally if the cut is deep and oozy, aplastic drain will be inserted. Usually the closure of wound would be in 2 layers internally and occasionally a plastic nylon stitch to close the skin. This stitch requires to be removed in 7-10 days time.
Complications
Some of the complications are infection, bleeding, fluid accumulation (seroma), bruise & pain symptoms.
Very rarely there can be damage to nerves which are usually pain sensitive nerves which may cause chronic pain. Lipomas and ganglion cysts are known for recurrence.
Pricing
The price of lumps varies according to the size, area located and the difficulty in getting it out safely. It can range from $500 to $2000. Please contact reception or schedule an appointment with either Dr Satya for further information.
Lumps & Bumps
Common Types of Lumps and Bumps
Lipomas: Soft, doughy lumps made up of fat cells that are generally harmless.
Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs that can develop almost anywhere in the body.
Skin Tags: Small, soft, hanging growths on the skin’s surface.
Sebaceous Cysts: Painless, slow-growing cysts beneath the skin’s surface, often containing a cheese-like substance.
Hernias: Protrusions of an organ or tissue through an opening or weak spot in the muscles.
Enlarged Lymph Nodes: Swollen glands, usually due to infection or inflammation.
Why Seek Medical Attention?
While many lumps and bumps are benign, some can be signs of underlying health issues, including infections or, rarely, cancer. It’s crucial to consult a medical professional if you notice:
Sudden Growth: If the lump appears to be growing rapidly.
Pain or Discomfort: When the lump is painful or causing discomfort.
Changes in Color or Texture: Any changes in the appearance or texture of your skin.
Irregular Borders: If the lump has irregular or undefined borders.
Persistent or Unexplained Lumps: Lumps that don’t go away or have no clear cause.
Our Approach
Our experienced medical team will conduct a thorough evaluation, which may include physical examination, imaging tests, and, if necessary, biopsies. Once we determine the nature of the lump or bump, we will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan.
Treatment Options
Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. Options may include:
Observation: If the lump is benign and not causing discomfort, it may simply be monitored.
Medication: In some cases, medication can help alleviate symptoms or reduce the size of the lump.
Surgery: Surgical removal may be recommended for lumps that are causing pain, growing, or have the potential for complications.
Your health and peace of mind are our top priorities. If you have questions or concerns about lumps or bumps, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to provide you with expert care and support throughout your healthcare journey.