Skin or subcutaneous lump
Related Subjects:
|Anatomy of Skin
|Skin and soft tissue and bone infections
| Skin or subcutaneous lump
|Skin Pathology and Description and Examination
🧩 Subcutaneous lumps can arise from a wide range of causes, including benign, infectious, malignant, and other systemic conditions. A careful history, examination, and appropriate investigations are key to diagnosis and management.
🟢 Benign Causes
- 💛 Lipoma: Soft, movable, painless fatty lump; confirmed by ultrasound. ➡️ Usually no treatment, excision if large or symptomatic.
- ⚪ Epidermoid (Sebaceous) Cyst: Firm, round, keratin-filled lump. ➡️ Incision & drainage if infected; excision if recurrent.
- 🧵 Fibroma: Firm fibrous tissue growth. ➡️ No treatment unless symptomatic or for cosmetic reasons.
- 🟤 Dermatofibroma: Small, firm, dark lumps (often on legs). ➡️ Generally observed; excision if bothersome.
🦠 Infectious Causes
- 🔥 Abscess: Painful, pus-filled swelling. ➡️ Incision & drainage + antibiotics if systemic infection.
- 💥 Furuncle (Boil): Localized hair follicle infection. ➡️ Warm compresses, drainage if large, antibiotics if recurrent.
- 🌋 Carbuncle: Cluster of boils caused by staphylococcus. ➡️ Drainage + systemic antibiotics.
- 🔴 Cellulitis: Diffuse infection with swelling and redness. ➡️ Oral/IV antibiotics; drain if abscess present.
🔴 Malignant Causes
- ⚪ Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): Pearly/waxy nodule with telangiectasia. ➡️ Excision, cryotherapy, or Mohs surgery.
- 🔺 Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Firm, red nodule or crusting lesion. ➡️ Excision or Mohs; radiotherapy for advanced cases.
- ⚫ Melanoma: Irregular pigmented lump or mole. ➡️ Wide excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, immunotherapy if advanced.
- 🧬 Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Rare, deep lump in fat/muscle/connective tissue. ➡️ Biopsy + MRI; surgery ± chemo/radiotherapy.
🔶 Other Causes
- 🩸 Hematoma: Blood collection under skin, often post-trauma. ➡️ Observation if small; drainage if large/symptomatic.
- 📦 Hernia: Protrusion of bowel through abdominal wall. ➡️ Clinical exam, ultrasound/CT; surgical repair if symptomatic.
- 💧 Ganglion Cyst: Fluid-filled lump near joints. ➡️ Often resolve; aspiration or excision if persistent.
- 🦠 Lymphadenopathy: Swollen lymph nodes from infection, inflammation, or cancer. ➡️ Bloods/biopsy; treat underlying cause (antibiotics, chemo, etc.).
📚 References
