Mushy growth

[LoriBailey]

My 17 year old son has a round growth on the right side of his head that is a little bigger than a quarter and soft to the touch.  My dermatologist does not know what it is and is referring me to an expert.  She seems to think it has been there for a while, maybe since birth, because hair no longer grows there, but because of the size, I think either my son, his hair dresser or I would have noticed.  Maybe it started out small and has grown and now is filling with fluid. My doctor also said something about there is the possibility of roots growing down to the spinal cord.  Of course, this freaks me out a little!  Any ideas about what this is or some intelligent questions I should ask the next doctor?

Thank you,
lori

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm without examination but what your son seems to be having is called pilar cyst. Pilar cysts are biologically benign, but they may be locally aggressive.These cysts manifest as smooth, mobile, asymptomatic swellings, often in the scalp. Overlying hair loss may be noted.

Definitive treatment is complete excision of the cyst.Pls discuss this option with a dermatologist/surgeon.

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[jagesh50]

Dermoid cysts are benign and just to make sure it is localized your doctor has reffered.Do consult but there is nothing to fear.