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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Large Lump On Upper Back Close To Shoulder Blade. What Could Be It?

My fiance has a large lump on his upper back close to his shoulder blade and it has been there for years. Right now it is about the size of a golf ball, but sometimes it will get smaller and almost be non existent. I have squeezed on it before and it will pop and drain and that is when it gets smaller. However he tried to have me pop it this time and it will not pop. He said it was sore this time and it is red around it. I have been looking online and it looks like and sounds like it is either a sebaceous cyst or a lipoma. What would you think it would be and what would you suggest he do? I could send a picture of it so youcan see it. Thanks!
Tue, 16 Apr 2013
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

From your description most likely this is sebaceus cyst (lipoma can not be squeezed and popped). It grows back because it is surrounded by keratin sac which do produces the cottage like masses. And only those masses can be drained. It helps only temporarily, however the sac still produces the masses so it grows back.
Sometimes such cyst gets infected and also puss accumulates in it so it gives pain and redness.

To permanently get rid of it, it is necessary to remove it with the sac. It needs to be done in local anesthesia by a surgeon (or dermatologist).

Hope this will help.
Regards.
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Large Lump On Upper Back Close To Shoulder Blade. What Could Be It?

Hello! Thank you for the query. From your description most likely this is sebaceus cyst (lipoma can not be squeezed and popped). It grows back because it is surrounded by keratin sac which do produces the cottage like masses. And only those masses can be drained. It helps only temporarily, however the sac still produces the masses so it grows back. Sometimes such cyst gets infected and also puss accumulates in it so it gives pain and redness. To permanently get rid of it, it is necessary to remove it with the sac. It needs to be done in local anesthesia by a surgeon (or dermatologist). Hope this will help. Regards.