Lakeside, CA
A 21-year-old female asked:
How can you tell the difference between a cysts or lipoma? i have a marble sized lump under skin. easily moves around with little pressure no pain
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. Thomas Deberardinoanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Transillumination: One way to determine if a subcutaneous mass is fluid filled (cyst) or more solid (lipoma) is to use a small penlight or similar. While in a darkened room you place the light source as close as possible to the cyst from one side or the other to see whether the light transilluminates the mass. If little light is visible across the mass, it is likely more solid. Positive light indicates fluidic cyst.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
892 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ahimsa porter Sumchai md commented
Specializes in Sports Medicine
This may not be accurate. I have a large subcutaneous lipoma above my right pectoral area that transilluminates as if it has fluid in it. This probably is true for a fluid versus solid mass. By the way, my lipoma also generates a fluid wave when palpated.
Sep 27, 2017
Dr. Enrique Montanaanswered
General Surgery 53 years experience
Consistency locatio: Cyst: fluid filled and Lipoma, Soft tissue solid filled.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
892 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ahimsa porter Sumchai mdanswered
Specializes in Sports Medicine
Cyst versus Lipoma: It can be difficult to tell the difference between a fluid filled cyst and a soft benign fatty lipoma if you are not a doctor. Both lesions present as soft well circumscribed lesions that are not painful and can be easily compressed. A fluid filled cyst demonstrates water properties...if you tap it you can elicit a fluid wave. Lipomas can be large and arise from subcutaneous fat under the skin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
890 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 1, 2020
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $44!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.