Large bumps under skin on back

My dad has large bumps under his skin on his back. They have been there for years and when my mom squeezes them yellowish white stuff comes out and it stinks very badly. He says they hurt but after she squeezes the stuff out it quits hurting but it always comes back. I was wondering what this could be.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

Has this been present for years?

Are the affected areas reddish, painful, itchy?

At this point, a major differential may be lipomas. "Lipomas are benign (not cancerous), slow-growing tumors that come from fat cells. They are usually round, moveable, flattened lumps under the skin. They feel soft and doughy or rubbery. Lipomas usually grow in the neck, shoulders, back, or arms. Lipomas are the most common noncancerous tumor in adults. They can occur at any age, but they often appear when you're between 40 and 60 years of age. Sometimes they run in families. Sometimes they are caused by an injury. Most lipomas do not hurt unless they are squeezed or bruised. Lipomas are the most common noncancerous tumor in adults."

Source:http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/763.printerview.html

The discharge that you have noted may suggest that there may be an underlying infection. "Lipomas may need to be removed if they cause the person pain or feel tender. In addition, lipomas that become inflamed or infected, which is identified by a foul smelling discharge, can threaten a person’s health."

Is there any pain or redness in one of the bumps?

I suggest that you have this assessed by your internist. Your dad may need antibiotics or may have a culture of the discharge done to rule out an infection.

Source:http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-dangers-of-lipomas.htm