The appearance of a lump in the head, neck, or underarm is a matter of concern to anyone who makes him rush to see a doctor, thinking that it could be a malignant tumor, but in reality not every lump that appears is a cause for concern, as the difference between a sebaceous cyst and a tumor is significant.

What is the difference between a sebaceous cyst and a tumor?

First of all, a sebaceous cyst and a tumor can appear in the same area as the skin, tissues, and bones, and they have almost the same shape. As for the difference between a sebaceous cyst and a tumor, it is huge. A sebaceous cyst is a fluid- or air-filled sac that feels tender and is usually benign. A tumor is a hard, abnormal mass of tissue that can be benign or malignant.

Causes of a sebaceous cyst:

• A sebaceous cyst can form as a result of a medical condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
• A sebaceous cyst forms on the skin when dead skin cells accumulate instead of falling off.
• Injury or inflammation of the hair follicles.
• Degeneration of joint tissue.
• ovulation.

The reasons for the formation of tumors:

In the normal state, cells grow and divide to replace old, dead cells. As for tumors, they form in the event of a defect in this process, as old cells accumulate instead of dying as new cells continue to grow and divide.

Some types of tumors are benign where they remain in place, and some are malignant that can move to surrounding tissues to form other tumors.

How can a doctor tell the difference between a sebaceous cyst and a tumor?

1. The doctor begins by asking about the medical history first, and about the timing of the onset of symptoms, and he also notes the mass if it is superficial in terms of its location, color, and texture.
2. The doctor resorts to radiological examination using ultrasound, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging, or mammogram. If the x-rays show that the cyst contains a question, then it is a benign sebaceous cyst, but if it contains solid components of the tissues, then it is a tumor, either benign or malignant.
3. The only way to determine whether a tumor is benign or malignant is a biopsy, by removing part or all of the mass and then examining it in a laboratory.

The most common types of sebaceous cysts:

• Sebaceous cyst in the breast.
• Sebaceous cysts in the skin and can appear on the neck, chest, or back.
• Fatty cysts in the liver.
• Sebaceous cyst in the hair and scalp.
• Fatty cysts in the kidney.
• Sebaceous cysts in the ovaries.

The most common types of tumors:

• Adenocarcinomas: They can be cancerous but are usually benign. Examples of these tumors include colon adenomas, bile duct adenomas, and hepatic adenomas.
• Fibroadenoma: These benign tumors grow on fibrous tissue such as the uterus.
• Lipomas: often benign, usually soft, and located just under the skin.
• Malignant Tumors: They can develop anywhere in the body, for example bone marrow, colon, liver, and prostate cancer.

What is the difference between a sebaceous cyst and a tumor in terms of treatment?

The doctor determines the treatment based on the location and nature of the lump, most fatty cysts do not need treatment and the doctor can remove them surgically or remove the fluids inside them if they cause pain or if they look uncomfortable, knowing that if the fluids inside them are removed, they can grow again which requires its complete removal.

Benign tumors also do not need treatment, but they can be removed surgically if they affect the surrounding area. As for malignant tumors, they need to be treated with either surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of them.

Warning signs:

Some symptoms, if they occur, require a doctor’s consultation immediately without delay, including:

• Bleeding
• itching
• the pain.
• Rapid mass growth.
• Redness and swelling of the lump.
• Impediment.
• Change the color of the block.

In conclusion, it is true that we call on the patient to avoid exaggerated anxiety, but that does not mean neglecting the symptoms or postponing the visit to the doctor, as he alone is able to determine the difference between the sebaceous cyst in order to avoid any complications that may occur in the future.