Dermatoid cyst on neck acne or cancer?!?

[terminator02]

Not sure when to go to a physician regarding what feels like a cyst. It WAS much bigger (tried popping what I thought was a zit about a month ago).  It has gotten smaller (smaller than pea sized) and is located between my left side of my neck right under the middle of my jaw bone.  It moves and appears to be between skin.  It is not associated with my neck lymph nodes I don't believe.  Are there any ways to differentiate acne, cysts and cancer?  I am a 31 year old male.  I am mainly worried that it could be something dangerous and was wondering what would be symptoms to look out for for anything cancer related.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This kind of bump can be a swollen lymph node,a sebaceous cyst or a boil. Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection along with other numerous causes. Treatment is usually cold compresses, over the counter anti-inflammatory analgesics(pain killers) like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, antibiotics if cause of infection is suspected to be a bacteria and surgical drainage if there is any abscess formation.

Sebaceous cyst is a closed sac that fills with a fatty white, semi-solid material called sebum produced by sebaceous glands of the epidermis. It is usually painless but can become painful if infected.Then antibiotics are needed.

Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle be staph aureus. Treatment includes antibiotics. I suggest you to get it examined from a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[MDucey]

Most althought not all cancers tend to be larger than what yours sounds like, usually have an unusual border (not circular although some can be) and also tend to scab over and bleed. I have a skin growth on my neck that im still waiting to get a biopsy done although Ive seen 4 physicians because like you the idea of cancer freaks me out. All 4 said it wasnt cancer and didnt rush me to see a dermatologist and I hope they are right but what i would advise is to see your family doctor ASAP and if they think its serious they will get you in to see a skin doctor very quickly, while in my case I've got a possible 3 month wait before I can see one. If you are still worried, a second opinion never hurts. Like i said try to see your doctor as quickly as possible, the faster things like this are diagnosed the greater chances are of correcting it

[terminator02]

I really appreciate the posts; I will make an appointment with a doctor to check to be safe. One final question; what does cancer of the neck look like?  Nothing on the web looks anything near what I have as my subdermal bump is hardly visibly noticeable.  Then again; web pictures tend to be extreme cases.  Any symptoms or signs to look for?  Idea of cancer does freak me out.  Thank you so much for responding.  

[martikadragoon]

you can have an ingrown hair that curls in on itsself therefor it doesn't break the skin.....but since you said there's no pain I'm not confident that's the issue.

I think you should go to your doctor to get it looked at. Your doctor would need to get a biopsy too check for cancer and could also check for any other disorder.

[terminator02]

Almost thought it was an ingrown hair but I don't see any hair stuck.  But it seemed to happen after shaving in the shower one morning.

[terminator02]

Well there is no white head as this is sub-dermal and there is no pain.  Any possible things of what this could be?

[martikadragoon]

Acne will have a white head on top of the pimples most times. Cysts are usually painful and can get larger, and as for cancer your doctor would have to take a biopsy of the spot and test it.