Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Family Medicine  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Sebaceous Cyst on scalp
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD Boston - MA
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Post a Question Back to Forum
MedHelp Member's Question

Sebaceous Cyst on scalp

by DeeDeeMarie, May 21, 2003 12:00AM
I am a 42 year old female who recently went for her physical and posted a question on here regarding breast cancer relating to thyroid cancer.  This is NOT my question.  Since I am now taking such an active part in my health (hopefully NOT too late), my question is this.  Approximately ten years ago I was diagnosed with a sebaceous cyst on my scalp.  I didnt give it much though since I trusted my doctor.  Over the past several years, I find it is getting larger and it does NOT seem to be mobile, which Im told sebaceous  cysts are.  Could this be cancer After all of these years?  I cant get an apt. with my dermatologist for two weeks so I thought that maybe til than someone can put my mind at ease.  Thank you in advance.
Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD, May 21, 2003 12:00AM
Hello - thanks for asking your question.



Without seeing the lesion, I cannot comment on whether it is cancer or not.



Sebaceous cysts most often arise from swollen hair follicles. Skin trauma can also induce a cyst to form. A sac of cells is created into which a protein called keratin is secreted.



These cysts are usually found on the face, neck, and trunk. They are usually slow- growing, painless, freely movable lumps beneath the skin. Occasionally, however, a cyst will become inflamed and tender.  They can be surgically removed or smaller ones injected with steroids.  



You are correct in that most sebaceous cysts are mobile.  Cancer is always a possibility.  If there is any concern for this I would definitely follow-up with your dermatologist for a possible biopsy.  It should be ok to wait 2 weeks for a dermatology appointment.  



Followup with your personal physician is essential.



This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.



Thanks,

Kevin, M.D.

Member Comments (19)

by surgeon, May 21, 2003 12:00AM
Highly unlikely to be anything but a cyst; sebaceous cysts actually come from oil glands, not hair follicles. And if they are large enough and the skin is tight enough, they may not be all that mobile. But the only way to find out is to have it looked at again, as you are doing. Whatever it is, two weeks won't be significant.

by DeeDeeMarie, May 21, 2003 12:00AM
They you both for your responses.  Just wanted to let you know my dermatologist did see me this afternoon, he looked at the lump on my head, put a needle into it with some sort of steroid treatment to make the inflamation go down and then recommended I have it surgically removed.  He said he feels that it is a Benign Cyst.  While I was there I had a mole removed from just above my knee.  I had it removed it the exact same place as last year, but when it was biopsied it came back NOT as melanoma but was considered pre-cancerous.  He removed it to have another biopsy done.  Im not going to panic, true it came back, however, I did have it removed again, its not like I waited years.  Im keeping my fingers crossed that it is not serious.  Thank you Both again for your quick responses.  This is a great forum, it made me feel more comfortable talking to you before going to the doctor.  Keep up the good work.  :)

by DeeDeeMarie, Jun 07, 2003 12:00AM
Just wanted to let you know that I had the cyst removed, received my pathology report today, it was a Benign Sebaceous Cyst.  Thank you so much for this forum, I cant tell you how much I appreciated knowing I had someone to talk to at a time I really needed it.  Keep up the good work.

by whitewolf, Jun 27, 2003 12:00AM
I have a Sebaceous cyst that is about the size of a half dollar.  Since mine has grown it has caused me alot of pain.  I have seen my MD and waiting to see the surgeon.  But I am curious....do they have to shave any hair??  Or can they get by with just cutting??  I am really nervous... mine is up front.  Actually, have two smaller ones in the same area.  I just don't want to be bald.  Thanks.........Linda

by DeeDeeMarie, Jun 29, 2003 12:00AM
To: Linda
Hi Linda, they did have to shave my hair in the area where my cyst was, but thats all.  Already was hair has started growing back.  Honestly it was no big deal.  After it was removed, and stitched up, it hurt for several days but thats it.  It will be a little sensitive in that area for a couple of weeks, but other than that, NO PROBLEMS.  Good luck to you... Im sure all will work out fine.  Lemme know how it turns out.

by cajuntexusa, Sep 25, 2003 12:00AM
I am having one removed today on my scalp.  I am so very glad that this was posted as my doctor did not explain what the procedures are or would be.  I have had mine for a few years and I am hoping that it is nothing serious.



Thanks for all of the input.

by PhoenixChic, Oct 12, 2003 12:00AM
I had a sebatious cyst on my scalp since I was a little girl.  Through the years it slowly grew larger and larger and I had it removed when it got to the size of a large walnut.



I wish I'd ever had it taken out.  While it was getting so large that it made me uncomfortable when I tried to rest my head on firm surfaces, it had never been infected and never caused me any real PAIN.



Since I had it removed two years ago I've had nothing but PROBLEMS.  The surgery was traumatic in that I was awake and the cyst didn't want to leave me.  The surgeon Yanked and Yanked on it and finally, after pulling VERY hard got it out..but I felt all the nerves to my forhead being ripped out when he did it.  After surgery I had no feeling in the entire back of my head for a year...and even now I still have areas that have no feeling because of the nerve loss.



In addition to the nerve loss, he didn't get it all and within 4 weeks I had another small lump forming..the lump got infected and I've had horrendus infections about every 3 months like clockwork.  I also get eruptions of puss pockets all over my neck and face thta I think are related to breaking this cyst up..it seems to have allowed what was once confined to a small area to spread ...



The surgeon used a different term for my syst, something to do with how large it was...I can't remember the term..something like Wending ...



I don't recommend having one of these removed unless it's REALLY causing you a lot of discomfort or repeatedly gets infected!

by jelynn, Mar 21, 2004 12:00AM
16 days ago i had a cyst removed from my scalp