Children will present frequently with unusual lumps and bumps as they grow. Thankfully, most of these conditions are benign and can be removed easily. Some of the diagnoses include a dermoid cyst, lipoma, pilomatrixoma, inclusion or sebaceous cyst, and mucocele, to name a few. Fortunately, these can be removed in a non-urgent fashion. And most patients and their parents elect to remove these lumps and bumps in order to get rid of an unsightly mass, contour problem, or to simply confirm the diagnosis.
However, there are times that surgically removing these lesions may be a more urgent matter. For example, if a mass is rapidly growing and creating a functional problem such as obstruction of vision or the ear canal, then addressing the problem will need to be done sooner than later. Also, if there is any question as to a possible malignant tumor, then the timetable for surgery is moved up.
Surgery to remove most lumps and bumps is relatively straightforward. Removal of a mass will leave a scar. However, the scar can be concealed or minimized in most instances. This is when the plastic surgeon you choose becomes an important decision-making point. Also, some masses may be rather large, deep, or difficult to remove without disrupting facial features or creating a secondary problem. Local skin flaps, meticulous surgical dissection, and an intimate understanding of normal facial anatomy are vital skills to have in these cases.
Dr. Panossian has spent over a decade addressing lumps and bumps of all kinds in both children and adults. If you or your child has an unusual mass on the face, body, or extremities, please call for a consultation today.