Lipoma
A lipoma is a common noncancerous fatty lump that is often soft and moves under the skin. Removal may be considered for growth, discomfort, uncertainty, location, or cosmetic concern.
LUMPS & BUMPS · LOS ANGELES
A lump may be simple. The evaluation should never be careless.
Dr. Michael A. Zadeh evaluates and removes lipomas, cysts, and other skin or soft-tissue masses. The first step is determining what the mass is likely to be, whether it needs additional evaluation, and whether removal is the right next step.
COMMON LUMPS AND BUMPS
The name of the lump matters because the treatment is not the same.
Common skin cyst
An epidermal inclusion cyst forms in the skin. It can remain quiet for years or become enlarged, inflamed, painful, or infected.
Other soft-tissue lumps
Not every lump is a lipoma or cyst. A firm, deep, rapidly growing, fixed, painful, returning, or otherwise unusual lump may need imaging, biopsy, or referral to another specialist before removal.
EVALUATION FIRST
Not every lump should go straight from the exam room to the procedure room.
Many lumps near the skin can be identified during an examination, but additional testing may be appropriate when the diagnosis is uncertain or the features are unusual.
Size, depth, growth pattern, location, symptoms, prior surgery, whether the lump has returned, and examination findings can change the plan.
If the diagnosis is uncertain, slow down. Imaging or a biopsy may be more appropriate than immediate removal for selected masses.
REMOVAL
The best setting depends on the size, depth, location, and diagnosis.
Smaller lumps near the skin may be removable with numbing medicine (local anesthesia). Larger, deeper, complex, sensitive-location, or multiple masses may be better treated in an operating room.
For cysts, removing the cyst wall after inflammation has settled may reduce the chance that the cyst returns compared with simply draining an active infection.
RECOVERY AND TISSUE RESULTS
A small operation still deserves good closure, wound care, and follow-up.
Recovery varies with the size and location of the removal. When tissue is sent to the laboratory for examination (pathology), the final report confirms what was removed and whether any additional evaluation is needed.
LIPOMA AND CYST REMOVAL IN SHERMAN OAKS
Evaluation of lumps, lipomas, and cysts for Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
Dr. Michael A. Zadeh evaluates lipomas, cysts, and other skin or soft-tissue lumps at Zadeh Surgical in Sherman Oaks. The first step is to identify what the lump is likely to be and whether it can be watched, needs testing, or should be removed.
Convenient for patients in: Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Tarzana, Van Nuys, and surrounding Los Angeles communities
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions about lipomas, cysts, and soft-tissue masses.
Does a lipoma have to be removed?
No. Many lipomas that are not causing symptoms can be watched. Removal may be appropriate for growth, discomfort, uncertainty, location, or patient preference.
Can a cyst come back after it is drained?
Yes. Drainage treats the immediate fluid or infection but may leave the cyst wall behind. Complete removal is often considered after inflammation has resolved when appropriate.
Will a removed mass be sent to the laboratory?
Many removed masses are sent for laboratory examination, called pathology, so the diagnosis can be confirmed. The decision depends on the circumstances and the tissue removed.
LUMP OR MASS EVALUATION · SHERMAN OAKS
If you have a lump that is growing, uncomfortable, returning, or simply unexplained, start by figuring out what it is.
14658 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 · (818) 789-1111