Makindo Medical Notes"One small step for man, one large step for Makindo" |
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Related Subjects: |Anatomy of Skin |Skin and soft tissue and bone infections | Skin or subcutaneous lump |Skin Pathology and Description and Examination
Category | Cause | Description | Tests | Management |
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Benign | Lipoma | Soft, movable, non-painful lumps made of fatty tissue. Typically slow-growing. | Physical examination, ultrasound to confirm soft tissue origin. | No treatment needed unless symptomatic; surgical excision for large or bothersome lipomas. |
Epidermoid (Sebaceous) Cyst | Firm, round lump beneath the skin, often filled with keratin. | Physical examination, ultrasound if unclear. | Incision and drainage if infected; surgical excision for recurrent cysts. | |
Fibroma | Firm, benign fibrous tissue growth often found on the skin. | Physical examination, biopsy if unclear diagnosis. | No treatment necessary unless symptomatic; surgical removal for cosmetic reasons or irritation. | |
Dermatofibroma | Small, firm, dark lumps usually found on the legs. | Physical examination, biopsy if concern for malignancy. | Generally no treatment required; excision for symptomatic lesions. | |
Infectious | Abscess | Painful, swollen lump filled with pus, often due to bacterial infection. | Clinical examination, ultrasound to determine extent. | Incision and drainage; antibiotics if systemic infection is present. |
Furuncle (Boil) | Localized infection of the hair follicle, leading to a painful, pus-filled lump. | Physical examination, culture of pus if recurrent. | Warm compresses; incision and drainage for large boils; antibiotics if needed. | |
Carbuncle | A cluster of boils caused by staphylococcal bacteria. | Physical examination, pus culture for antibiotic sensitivity. | Incision and drainage; systemic antibiotics for infection. | |
Cellulitis | Deep skin infection causing redness, swelling, and a palpable lump. | Clinical diagnosis, blood cultures if sepsis is suspected. | Oral or IV antibiotics; drainage if abscess formation is present. | |
Malignant | Basal Cell Carcinoma | Small, pearly or waxy lump, often with visible blood vessels. | Skin biopsy to confirm diagnosis. | Excision, cryotherapy, or Mohs surgery for complete removal. |
Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Firm, red nodule or flat sore that may crust or bleed. | Skin biopsy to confirm diagnosis. | Excision or Mohs surgery; radiation therapy in advanced cases. | |
Melanoma | A highly dangerous form of skin cancer presenting as a lump or irregular mole. | Skin biopsy, dermoscopy, lymph node biopsy for staging. | Wide local excision; sentinel lymph node biopsy; immunotherapy for advanced disease. | |
Soft Tissue Sarcoma | A rare cancer starting in soft tissues like fat, muscle, or connective tissue. | Biopsy, MRI to assess soft tissue involvement. | Surgical excision, radiation, and chemotherapy depending on the stage. | |
Other Causes | Hematoma | Localized collection of blood under the skin, often due to trauma. | Physical examination, ultrasound if deeper involvement suspected. | Observation for small haematomas; drainage for large or symptomatic cases. |
Hernia | Protrusion of tissue (usually intestine) through the abdominal wall, forming a lump. | Physical examination, ultrasound or CT scan for diagnosis. | Surgical repair depending on size and symptoms. | |
Ganglion Cyst | Noncancerous lump filled with jelly-like fluid, typically found near joints. | Physical examination, ultrasound to confirm cystic nature. | Aspiration or surgical removal if symptomatic; often resolve spontaneously. | |
Lymphadenopathy | Swollen lymph nodes due to infection, inflammation, or malignancy. | Blood tests (CBC), biopsy if malignancy suspected. | Treat underlying cause (e.g., antibiotics for infection, chemotherapy for malignancy). |