Sebaceous cyst

[babybombo]

Hi guys,

I have a couple of small painless lumps on my upper back.
I went to my GP about2/3 months ago and she said that they were sebaceous cysts.
I just accepted this and didn't think anything of it.

But I started reading up on them last night because they haven't gone away and I keep getting new ones.
In thediscriptions of sebaceous cysts that I found it said that they were 'free moving' under the skin and secreted a foul smelling cheese like substance!

The lumps I have are not free moving and they don't screte anything. The lumps don't have a 'head' thing so they can't even secrete anything.

I'm considering going back to the doctors surgery for a second opinion but my practice is notorios for giving lazy diagnosis to patients so I'm worried they'll just assume they are sebaceous cysts!

Anyone had anything similar or know what they might actually be?

[Booldawg]

They only secrete if you burst them with constant probing etc! They dont have a head as such. I have one right in the middle of my chest which has been there for at least 7 years.

I wouldnt say it was free moving as its always in the same place.

[sqad617]

I disagree with the information given in your readings....whatever it is.

The sebaceous glands are IN the skin, so how can they be free moving BENEATH the skin........they can't.

You description of sebaceous cyst, in the skin, not free moving is accurate.

[alan-r]

i had had three of these removed in different parts of my body in the last 10 years they were small but in prominent places, i got a ref from my docs to dermi clinic at hospital and they were taken out by a small op and i was out in a hour back home, insist on see a specialist. its your right to see one

[babybombo]

Thanks guys,
it's pretty hard to know what information is right and what's wrong when you're looking through the internet.

I think I just got a bit worried really.

alan-r I don't think having mine removed would do anything since they usually grow until they are moderatley sized, then shrink, then completely disappear and resurface on another part of my back!

I think I'll just go back and ask for a better explanation of what they are and ask for a bit more info about them.

Thanks again!

[jamesnan]

I had one on my upper back for a couple of years, but it slowly started to get bigger so had it removed in a minor op, now there is just a tiny scar.

[woottonmel]

I went to my doctor about three weeks ago for what I thought was a mole that had changed appearance. I was obviously wondering if it might be a melanoma. The doctor diagnosed a sebaceous cyst and last Thursday he sliced it off in his surgery. He has sent it off to be checked to put my (and his) mind at rest that its nothing more than a cyst.

I would have yours taken off if I were you - put your mind at rest as well.

[babybombo]

That's the thing though, I can't have mine taken off because they only stay for about 2 weeks then they disappear and reappear on another part of my back!
Surely if I have one removed, another will just pop up somewhere else?