Cyst and growth removal

Cysts and lipomas are common lumps under the skin. Most are benign, but a new, enlarging, painful, deep or firm lump needs evaluation. Cysts can become inflamed or infected.

• Epidermoid cysts are round bumps under the skin, often with a small dark opening. They can fill with a thick, cheesy material and sometimes become inflamed.
• Pilar cysts are smooth, firm bumps, usually on the scalp.
• Lipomas are soft, rubbery lumps of fat that move under the skin.

How we remove them

The area is numbed and the growth is removed through a small incision, then the skin is closed with stitches. Removing the whole cyst wall lowers the chance it comes back. Inflamed cysts may first be treated with an injection or drained, and removed once they calm down.

After your procedure

Keep the area clean and covered as instructed. Stitches are usually removed in 1 to 2 weeks. We send the tissue to the lab when needed.

Where it is offered

Q&A

Related care

• Impetigo, boils and abscesses
• Dermatofibromas
• Biopsies
• Scar revision