Sebaceous Cyst vs Lipoma - What are the Major Differences?
Finding a lump or bump on your body can be alarming and worrying, especially when you do not know what it is and where it came from. Lipomas and cysts are two common types of lumps that can be found under the skin. They are typically benign (non-cancerous) collections of cells formed on various body parts. These lumps are treatable and can usually be removed by a skilled and experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
It may be a relief to know that the abnormal growths under your skin are harmless benign lumps. However, you may wonder what these are, how they differ, and what to do about them. While lipomas and cysts may look extremely similar, they are different types of growth. Continue reading the blog to learn about the difference between cyst and lipoma.
What is a Cyst?
A cyst is a slow-growing semi-solid or liquid-filled lump found under the skin, anywhere on the body (mostly on the head or neck).
- These common, harmless lumps can be as small as a pea or as large as a grapefruit. They usually have a spot-like dark opening at the top.
- Cysts form when skin cells don’t shed properly and move deep into the skin layers, where they multiply.
- The sacs formed by these skin cells are filled with keratin protein with an oily, cheese-like texture.
- However, cysts that develop from other types of cells may be filled with different substances.
Cysts can be of several types. The most common types of cysts include:
- Epidermoid cyst: Present in the superficial of the uppermost layer of the skin, usually caused by a buildup of keratin.
- Dermoid cyst: Found in the dermis (middle layer of skin).
- Sebaceous cyst: Originates from the sebaceous glands, caused by damage or blockage of the glands.
- Ganglion cyst: A round, gel-filled lump usually develops along the tendons or joints of wrists, hands, ankles, and feet.
- Pilonidal cyst: An abnormal pocket in the skin that forms at the top of the cleft of the buttocks.
- Ovarian cyst: Fluid-filled sacs that develop in one or both ovaries.
- Pilar cyst: A skin-coloured bump that forms under the skin's surface and is usually found on the scalp.
- Mucous cyst: A fluid-filled swelling that develops on the lip or mouth.
What is a Lipoma?
Lipoma is a benign overgrowth of fat that grows between your skin and muscle. It is very soft and can move under the skin when pressed. While lipomas can appear anywhere on your body, they most commonly emerge on the forehead, neck, shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, arms, buttocks, and thighs. Lipomas are harmless and rarely get infected. However, if they grow and press on nerves, they can become painful and may need to be removed.
Lipomas can be of several types, including blood vessels or other tissues apart from fat. These types include:
- Conventional: The most common type of lipomas containing white blood cells.
- Angiolipoma: It contains fat and blood vessels and is usually painful.
- Fibrolipoma: It is made up of fat and fibrous tissue.
- Myelolipoma: It contains fat and tissues that produce blood cells.
- Hibernoma: Compared to most other lipomas containing white fat, hibernoma contains brown fat.
- Pleomorphic: It contains fat cells of varied sizes and shapes.
Difference between Cyst and Lipoma
A cyst and a lipoma can feel and look similar in the early stages.
Cysts are usually smaller and can appear on the head and neck, whereas lipomas can be larger and mostly appear on the forehead, neck, shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, arms, buttocks, and thighs.
As cysts grow, they feel firm as an egg under the skin without excessive movement. On the other hand, lipomas are present deeper under the skin, feel soft, and can be slightly moved under the skin when touched.
Cysts and lipomas also differ in terms of their causes and symptoms. The following table compares the causes and symptoms of these two types of lumps.
Parameter |
Cysts |
Lipomas |
Causes |
Cysts form due to various reasons, such as:
- Inherited diseases
- Infections
- Genetics
- Duct blockage
- Chronic inflammation
The exact cause depends on the type of cyst:
- Sebaceous cysts: Caused by blocked or damaged sebaceous glands
- Ganglion cyst: Can be caused by a minor injury due to the collection of joint fluid in a sac
- Epidermoid cyst: Caused due to irritation or an injury to the skin or the superficiality of a hair follicle
- Dermoid cyst: Develops when skin layers do not grow together as expected during fetal development.
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The cause of lipomas is not known. It is believed that they are inherited. Some conditions that can cause multiple lipomas to include:
- Gardner syndrome
- Dercum’s disease
- Madelung’s disease
- Hereditary multiple lipomatosis
|
Parameter |
Cysts |
Lipomas |
Symptoms |
Internal cysts near organs like the kidney or liver do not show any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they vary depending on the location and type of the cyst. Some common symptoms include:
- Firm bump
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Swelling around the cyst
- Pain if the cyst gets infected, inflamed, or ruptured
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Many people with lipoma do not notice any symptoms. The characteristics and symptoms of lipomas vary from person to person. The most common ones include the following:
- A round or oval-shaped lump
- A lump that moves when you touch it
- A painless lump until it contains blood vessels
- A lump smaller than two inches (or, in some cases, larger than six inches)
|
Parameter |
Cysts |
Lipomas |
Risk Factors |
- Genetic conditions
- Infections
- Tumours
- Defects in developing organs
- Obstruction in the flow of fluids or oils
|
- Genetics
- Age (between 40 and 60 years)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Liver diseases
- Glucose intolerance
|
Parameter |
Cysts |
Lipomas |
Diagnosis |
- Physical examination: Some cysts can be easily diagnosed by touching them, especially if they are present in the skin or readily palpable organs, such as the thyroid gland.
- Imaging tests: X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, and CAT scans are useful in diagnosing cysts, especially when they are present in the internal organs like the kidney and liver.
- Needle biopsy: It helps determine if there is malignant tissue in the cyst.
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- Physical examination: The doctor touches the lipoma and asks if it feels tender or painful.
- Imaging tests: Ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans can help offer a clear picture of the lump. These tests also identify the location of the lipomas and whether they contain blood vessels.
- Biopsy: The test is performed to confirm that the lipoma isn’t cancerous. During the test, the provider takes a sample of the lipoma and sends it to the lab for testing.
|
Parameter |
Cysts |
Lipomas |
Treatment |
There is no need for treatment if the cyst is not causing any problems. However, if the cyst is painful, it may be treated with fluid removal or surgery. Several treatment options for a cyst include:
Injection: The doctor may inject medication into the cyst to reduce redness and swelling.
Drainage: This method involves an incision in the cyst and squeezing its contents out. However, there are chances of cyst recurrence with this method.
Surgery: It involves removing the complete cyst, fluid, and outer encasing. With this method, the chances of cyst recurrence decrease. |
Mostly a lipoma that does not need treatment. However, if it bothers you, your healthcare provider will make you undergo lipoma removal surgery, a minor outpatient surgery.
|
Parameter |
Cysts
|
Lipomas |
Risks and Complications |
- Infection
- Rupture of the cyst
- Peritonitis (inflammation of the thin layer of tissue inside your abdomen)
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- Lipomas can grow and spread to other body parts
- Press on nearby nerves and organs
- Become painful and swollen
- Blood clot formation
|
Takeaway
Several types of lumps form under the skin, most of which are benign, such as cysts and lipomas. A cyst is a fluid-filled lump that normally develops on the head and neck, whereas a lipoma is a fat-filled lump that normally develops on the forehead, neck, shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, arms, buttocks, and thighs.
Finding a lump under the skin can be alarming. While most cysts and lipomas do not require treatment, removing them is best if the lump affects your quality of life. You can contact a healthcare expert at HexaHealth for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Furthermore, we will help you connect with the right dermatologist or plastic surgeon to get your cysts and lipomas removed.