A sebaceous cyst, commonly known as a "sebaceous cyst," refers to a cyst formed by the accumulation of sebum within the gland due to the blockage of the sebaceous gland duct. It is one of the most common benign skin tumors, and many people have experienced having a sebaceous cyst, especially young individuals in their vigorous growth and development period.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

Sebaceous cysts commonly occur on the scalp and face, followed by the trunk. Due to varying depths and differing amounts of contents, their sizes can range greatly, from as small as a grain of rice to as large as an egg. They are often misdiagnosed as lipomas or fibromas. Sebaceous cysts grow very slowly, but patients can still feel them gradually enlarging.

Sebaceous cysts are usually solitary, though occasionally multiple may occur. They are round in shape, with a medium hardness or elasticity, protruding above the skin surface, smooth in texture, and movable when pushed but not adherent to the base, without fluctuation. The skin color may appear normal or slightly bluish. If the cyst enlarges too rapidly, the overlying skin may become shiny. Sometimes, there is an opening on the skin surface from which white, cheesy contents can be expressed. This opening leads to the sebaceous gland duct on the skin surface, and its depression is caused by insufficient duct length. Sebaceous cysts often become infected, leading to rupture and temporary regression, but this results in scarring and a tendency to recur. The chance of sebaceous cysts becoming cancerous is extremely rare.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

1. It often occurs on the head, face, back, or buttocks of adults. It grows slowly and is usually asymptomatic, but may present with redness, swelling, heat, and pain if complicated by infection.
2. The cyst is round, with clear boundaries, and the base is movable. It adheres to the skin and has a cystic texture. A black follicular pore may sometimes be visible at the center, and white sebum may be discharged when squeezed or ruptured.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

Surgery is the only treatment for sebaceous cysts. During the procedure, an elliptical skin incision can be designed along the skin lines in the area connected to the cyst, especially when the duct opening is visible, to remove the cyst along with the surrounding tissue. Care must be taken during dissection, as the cyst wall is very thin and should be removed as completely as possible. If any cyst wall remains, recurrence is likely. If there are signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, heat, or pain before surgery, the inflammation should first be controlled, and surgery should be scheduled at a later stage.