I have a painful lump on my buttock. Is it a sebaceous cyst?

Question

Hi doctor,

There is a lump (about 1.18 inches to 1.57 inches in diameter) on my right buttock for a very long period (about 15 to 18 years). Perhaps it is not regularly shaped (not fully round or oval). It might have increased a little within the last five years, and now it might be 1.77 inches to 1.96 inches in diameter. It pains a little only when it gets pressed. Otherwise, it does not create any problem.

I checked with a dermatologist eight years back, and he said that it was a sebaceous cyst. But he said it just by looking at the lump. He did not examine it physically. The lump is firm upon palpation. When I sit for some time, it gets compressed and decreases in size, and again reverts to its original size. Now I fear it to be anything serious like cancer.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

A lump with a 15-year history does not indicate cancer. It looks like a lipoma (fat lump). But a long-duration lump with a sudden increase in size or a recent increase in size is worrisome. It may be a sebaceous cyst diagnosed by your dermatologist, but sebaceous cysts generally do not last for many periods.

Please send me a clear photograph of the lump with all the investigations (if any) you have, to decide what the lump is.

I hope this will help you.

Let me know if you have more queries.

Thanks.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

A sebaceous cyst can be diagnosed without touching, and only by looking. Sorry, but I cannot see anything in the picture you sent me (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity).

If it is a sebaceous cyst, then surgical excision is the treatment under local anesthesia. It is a 30-minute procedure. And it is done by a surgeon.

I hope this helps.

Thanks.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have seen your last picture (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). The dotted area looks like some lump, but I cannot determine whether it is a sebaceous cyst or something else because the picture quality is inferior. And sometimes it requires to be felt by hand also.

So review with a surgeon in person. He will help you out. Anyways, it requires surgical excision if it is a sebaceous cyst.

Thank you.