Soft Tissue Masses

There are two common masses of soft tissue under the skin that often occur. First is a lipoma, often known as a “fatty tumor.” This is fat under the skin that grows out of proportion to the fat around it. These can occur all over the body, but are common on the back, trunk, or thighs. They can grow and cause pain but rarely become cancerous.

The second type of mass is a sebaceous cyst, or follicular cyst. These are follicles of the skin and hair that become blocked and form a cyst. They may drain or become infected often referred to as a “boil.” They often contain material resembling cottage cheese. These can occur all over the body, especially the back or back of the neck.