Lump under skin on shin - Long term, recently changed colour.

[jcirico]

It was about 3 years ago when I first noticed a growth just beneath the skin on my shin. It started out the size of a pea. A year later, I noticed that the lump had slowly grown larger, but nothing I was overly concerned about. And now, 3 years from when I first noticed it, its dimensions are about 1.5" in diameter and 1/4" in height. It's entirely painless, relatively soft to the touch, and can be moved around a bit. Also, as a reference, I am a 21 year old caucasian male.

I asked a doctor about it about a year ago and he seemed baffled, but said if it grows, to have it removed. I would say since then, it has grown very slightly.

Now, my biggest concern is... In the past month, I've noticed the skin covering the lump has changed colour. It's become a light red with the colour mainly only to one side of the lump (the entire lump is not discoloured).

All I would like to know is; what is this?

I suppose I should say I'm not exactly willing to just have it removed. I sort of have a huge phobia of anything to do with surgery or needles. I would prefer to avoid it at all costs. This is also why I haven't been back to see my doctor.

I'm posting online in hopes someone can provide some advice. Should I be worried that this could be cancerous? Is it just a fatty cyst? Why would it be changing colour after 3 years? If I found the courage to see my doctor, what would they even be able to do besides cut it out? They couldn’t provide a diagnosis then, so how would they now? I’m hoping it’s just a harmless cyst then can be removed when I’m ready. Sorry for sounding like a wimp, but any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Hatzy]

Hi I have cyst on my back for many years, but lately it has grown like a golf ball, swollen ,red painful and feels like it is burning me.can you tell me why

[jcirico]

Just thought I'd comment on my old Q&A here to provide a confirmed answer of what my lump was.

Turns out it was a sebum filled cyst. One day over the "soft spot" it simply burst. Upon seeing my doctor he drained, the cyst by pushing on it; no surgical excision was done. Since then the lump has not returned, however I do seem to have a permanent discolouration and scar where it burst.

Definitely a relief to know it was nothing serious. But also definitely a scare when it burst and a mash potato like substance was oozing from my shin.

[jonko77]

I have the exact same thing. Only my lump is on my shin 25 years. Its been growing very slowly over the last 3 years from a lima bean to about 3.5 cm.
It has hard and soft spots and is irregular. It is also a blueish-reddish color and itches sometimes. Its been that color for 10 plus years. Its been injured many many times and hurts and is tender.
ITs coming out this week

[jcirico]

Hm, doesn't look like a dermatofibroma. It's a fair bit larger at about 1 or 1.5inches across and about 1/4 inch in height. So fairly flat.

Also, the colouration is only just recent.

Here's my current situation. My doctor doesn't know what it is, and suggests that it just be removed as there's no easy way to "test" for what it is. Call my doctor useless, but unfortunately he's the only one available at this time. So I'm stuck with the decision now of just getting it removed, or let it be and hope it's harmless, and then get it removed at a later date.

Any more ideas? I'd still prefer not to get stabbed with a needle just yet hah.

[Pum]

Does it look like the pictures of a dermatofibroma? Does it dimple when pinched? it is in the right spot to be one and it sounds a lot like one. Shins get knocked all the time or rubbed on trousers so
jcirico is right, it could just be irritated.

You're obviously concerned which is why you're here. Maybe it's better for your peace of mind to get it sorted once and for all. Sounds hard but better in the long run.

Good luck

[jcirico]

How do you mean manipulation to the area? Can just walking cause a "bruising" effect? My main concern is, why after 3 years, would it just now change colour like this?

In the past few weeks, the colour has remained the same. I hasn't worsened nor improved.

I know if I see a doctor they won't know what it is either (just by looking), and will likely just opt to have it removed. I'd like to have a better idea of what it is first.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
By your description, it seems like the lump on your shin is cystic in nature.
The discoloration could be due to frequent manipulation of the area as this sort of results in trauma to the skin.
It would be best to have it seen by your physician.
Do not worry too much.
Good luck.