Lipoma Removal (টিউমার / লিপোমা) in Dhaka — 3 Types, Sebaceous Cyst & Expert Treatment — Dr. Muhammad Nazrul Islam

✍️  Written by: Md. Salauddin Biswas

MA in Medical Anthropology, University of Heidelberg, Germany | Former Senior Research Associate, James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University | Health Content Writer & SEO Specialist | Published: BMC Human Resources for Health | EEAT-Optimized Medical Content

🩺  Medically reviewed and approved by: Dr. Muhammad Nazrul Islam

FCPS (Surgery)  ·  MS (Colorectal Surgery)  ·  FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) Assistant Professor (Colorectal Surgery), Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka.

📅  Last reviewed: March 2026

Tumor / টিউমার / Lipoma / লিপোমা / Sebaceous Cyst / সিবেসিয়াস সিস্ট / শরীরে চাকা বা ফোলা

বাংলাদেশে ‘টিউমার’ বলতে সাধারণত শরীরের যেকোনো জায়গায় একটি চাকা বা ফোলা বোঝানো হয় — এটি সবসময় ক্যান্সার নয়। অধিকাংশ টিউমারই সৌম্য (benign) অর্থাৎ ক্যান্সারমুক্ত। লিপোমা (চর্বির টিউমার), সিবেসিয়াস সিস্ট (ত্বকের নিচে সিস্ট) এবং ফাইব্রোমা (তন্তুময় টিউমার) বাংলাদেশে সবচেয়ে বেশি দেখা যায় এবং সবগুলোই অস্ত্রোপচারের মাধ্যমে নিরাময়যোগ্য।

A tumor is any abnormal lump, swelling or mass in or on the body. The word ‘tumor’ does NOT automatically mean cancer. Most tumors — including the three most common types seen in Bangladesh (lipoma, sebaceous cyst and fibroma) — are benign (non-cancerous) and completely curable with a simple surgical excision.

টিউমার মানে কি ক্যান্সার? / Is Every Tumor Cancer? — The Most Important Answer

• NO — tumor does not mean cancer. A tumor is simply any abnormal swelling or lump — benign or malignant.
• BENIGN tumor = non-cancerous. Grows slowly, does not invade, does not spread. Examples: fatty lump (lipoma), sebaceous cyst, fibroma.
• MALIGNANT tumor = cancer. Invades surrounding tissue, can spread to lymph nodes and distant organs.
• In Bangladesh, the vast majority of lumps seen by a general surgeon are benign — lipoma alone affects approximately 1% of the population (~1.7 million Bangladeshis).
• HOWEVER: Any new, growing, hard or painful lump must be assessed by a surgeon. You cannot safely assume a lump is benign without examination.
• RED FLAGS requiring urgent assessment: rapidly growing lump | hard, fixed lump | skin changes over lump | neck lump with hoarseness | any lump with unexplained weight loss.

সংক্ষেপে / Quick Summary

• Lipoma (লিপোমা) = soft, moveable, painless fatty lump under skin — most common benign growth in Bangladesh — excised under local anaesthetic
• Sebaceous cyst (সিবেসিয়াস সিস্ট) = dome-shaped skin cyst with central pore — common on face, neck, scalp, back — can become infected in Bangladesh’s tropical heat
• Fibroma (ফাইব্রোমা) = firm, rubbery lump of fibrous tissue — less common — excised under local anaesthetic
• All three are benign — NOT cancer — and are cured by surgical excision
• Fatty lump removal cost Bangladesh: BDT 3,000–15,000 depending on size and location
• A ‘lump that moves under the skin’ is almost always a benign fatty lump — the most reassuring sign it is not cancer
• Infected sebaceous cyst = surgical urgency — do NOT pop or apply heat at home

Feature	Lipoma (লিপোমা)	Sebaceous Cyst (সিবেসিয়াস সিস্ট)	Fibroma (ফাইব্রোমা)
What is it?	Benign tumor of fat cells (adipocytes) enclosed in a fibrous capsule. The most common soft tissue tumor in humans.	Benign cyst from a blocked sebaceous (oil) gland. Contains keratin and sebum — not fat.	Benign tumor of fibrous connective tissue (fibroblasts and collagen).
Bengali name	লিপোমা / চর্বির টিউমার / নরম চাকা	সিবেসিয়াস সিস্ট / ত্বকের সিস্ট	ফাইব্রোমা / শক্ত চাকা
Feel on touch	Soft, doughy, rubbery. Moves freely under skin when pushed. Usually painless.	Dome-shaped, smooth. Moves with the skin (not freely under it). May have visible central pore.	Firm to hard, rubbery. Less mobile than a fatty lump. Usually painless.
Common locations	Neck, upper back, shoulders, upper arms, torso, thighs.	Face, neck, scalp, back, chest, groin. Anywhere with sebaceous glands.	Skin surface (limbs, trunk), gums, soles of feet.
Moves under skin?	YES — moves freely. Classic sign of a fatty benign lump. ‘Lump that moves under skin’ = almost always benign.	PARTIAL — moves with skin, not independently. Tethered to skin surface.	VARIABLE — dermatofibromas tethered (dimple sign). Deeper fibromas move freely.
Visible pore?	No visible pore.	YES — a small blackhead-like central pore is the diagnostic sign of a sebaceous cyst.	No visible pore.
Can it become cancer?	Extremely rare. A benign fatty lump does not transform into liposarcoma.	No — sebaceous cysts do not become cancerous.	Dermatofibromas are benign. Desmoid tumors are locally aggressive but do not metastasise.
Treatment	Surgical excision under local anaesthetic. No other treatment dissolves a fatty tumor.	Complete excision of cyst + sac. Draining alone = recurrence. Infected: drain first, excise later.	Excision under local anaesthetic. Small dermatofibromas can be left alone.
Recurrence	Low (<5%) with complete capsule excision.	10–30% if sac not fully removed. Near zero with proper excision.	Low with complete excision. Desmoid fibromas have higher recurrence.

Sign / Feature	Details — Bangladesh Context
Soft, moveable lump under skin (নরম, নড়াচড়া করে এমন চাকা)	The defining characteristic. Push the lump — it slides freely under the skin in all directions. Feels soft and doughy. This is the single most reassuring sign that a lump is a benign fatty growth and not cancer.
Painless (ব্যথাহীন)	Most of these fatty growths are completely painless. One causing pain may be pressing on a nerve — these should be excised. Angiolipomas (a variant) are typically painful to touch.
Slow growing (ধীরে ধীরে বাড়ে)	These soft tissue growths enlarge very slowly — often present for years or decades. Rapid growth of a fatty lump raises suspicion for liposarcoma and requires urgent assessment.
Smooth, well-defined edges	The border of a benign fatty growth is clear and smooth. An irregular, ill-defined border is a red flag for malignancy.
Location — upper body (শরীরের উপরের অংশে বেশি)	Neck, upper back (ঘাড়ের পেছনে), shoulders (কাঁধে), upper arms (বাহুতে) are the most common sites. Also common on the torso, abdomen and thighs.
Multiple fatty lumps / Lipomatosis (একাধিক টিউমার)	Some patients have multiple fatty growths (lipomatosis) — a hereditary condition. All such growths are still benign — not cancer.

What Causes a Fatty Lump? — What Bangladeshi Patients Need to Know:

• The exact cause is unknown. These fatty growths are NOT caused by obesity — thin people develop them too.
• Genetics: These benign growths run in families. Familial multiple lipomatosis is an autosomal dominant condition.
• Age: Most benign fatty lumps appear in adults aged 40–60.
• Bangladeshi dietary pattern: There is no direct evidence that a high-fat diet causes these fatty growths — despite popular belief in Bangladesh.
• Important: Dieting, exercise or applying heat will NOT shrink or dissolve a fatty benign lump. The only effective treatment is surgical excision. (NHS: Lipoma information ↗)

Benign Lump Excision — What Happens at Dr. Nazrul’s Clinic in Dhaka:

• Local anaesthetic injection around the lump — area goes completely numb in 2–3 minutes
• A small incision (cut) is made over the growth — usually smaller than the lump itself
• The fatty mass is separated from surrounding tissue and removed intact with its fibrous capsule
• Wound closed with absorbable sutures or skin closure strips
• Entire procedure takes 15–30 minutes. Patient is awake, feels no pain, goes home within 1–2 hours.
• Excised specimen sent for histopathology to confirm it is benign
• Fine suture technique used for cosmetically sensitive areas (face, neck) to minimise scarring

Size / Location	Approximate Cost (BDT)
Small fatty lump (under 2cm) — trunk or limb	BDT 3,000–6,000 — day case, local anaesthetic
Medium-sized lump (2–5cm) — neck, shoulder, back	BDT 6,000–12,000
Large / giant benign lump (over 5cm)	BDT 12,000–25,000 — may require general anaesthetic
Multiple fatty lumps (3 or more in one session)	BDT 8,000–20,000 — discounted when multiple excised together
Same procedure in India (medical tourism)	INR 15,000–50,000 + travel. No reason to travel abroad for a benign lump excision.

Sign / Feature	Details
Dome-shaped smooth lump (গোলাকার চাকা)	Rounded, dome-shaped lump just beneath the skin surface. Smooth, well-defined, skin-coloured or slightly yellowish-white.
Central punctum / pore (মাঝখানে ছিদ্র)	A small blackhead-like dark pore visible at the centre — the blocked sebaceous gland opening. The most diagnostic sign of a sebaceous cyst.
Moves with skin — not freely	Unlike a fatty lump (which moves freely), a sebaceous cyst is attached to the overlying skin and moves with it. Key distinguishing feature.
Common locations in Bangladesh	Scalp (মাথায়) | Face — cheeks, forehead, behind ears | Neck | Back | Chest | Groin. Multiple scalp cysts (pilar cysts) are frequently seen in Bangladesh.

Infected Sebaceous Cyst — Urgent Warning for Bangladesh

In Bangladesh’s tropical, humid climate — especially during monsoon season (June–September) — sebaceous cysts are highly prone to bacterial infection. An infected sebaceous cyst presents as:

• Sudden rapid enlargement — often doubling in size within 24–48 hours
• Redness and warmth of the overlying skin (লালচে, গরম)
• Severe pain (তীব্র ব্যথা) — the previously painless lump becomes acutely tender
• Fever (জ্বর) in some cases

Treatment: Step 1 — Incision and drainage (immediate pain relief). Step 2 — Antibiotics. Step 3 — Complete excision of cyst sac 4–6 weeks later.

WARNING: Do NOT apply heat or try to pop an infected sebaceous cyst at home. This can spread infection into surrounding tissue (cellulitis). Seek medical attention within 24 hours.

Why Complete Excision Is the Only Effective Sebaceous Cyst Treatment:

• The only effective treatment is complete surgical excision — removal of the entire cyst including its wall (sac). (NHS: Skin Cysts ↗)
• If only the contents are drained without removing the sac — the cyst WILL recur, usually within weeks.
• Procedure done under local anaesthetic, 15–30 minutes, same-day discharge.
• A small ellipse of skin overlying the punctum is excised along with the cyst to prevent recurrence.
• For scalp cysts — procedure through the hair without shaving, minimal visible scar.

Type of Fibroma	Features — Bangladesh Context
Dermatofibroma (most common)	Small (0.5–1.5cm), firm, brownish nodule on skin. Classic ‘dimple sign’ when pressed. Common on lower legs and forearms. Benign — excise if bothersome.
Gingival fibroma (মাড়ির টিউমার)	Firm, pink, painless lump on gums or inner cheek — caused by chronic irritation. Common in Bangladesh. Should be biopsied to confirm. Excised by surgeon or dentist.
Plantar fibroma (পায়ের তলায়)	Firm nodule on sole of the foot causing pain with walking. Conservative treatment first — surgery if symptomatic and unresponsive.
Desmoid tumor (deep fibromatosis)	Locally aggressive fibrous tumor — not malignant but can be very large. Arises in abdominal wall or limb musculature. Wide surgical excision required. Refer to NICRH Dhaka for abdominal desmoids.

Likely Diagnosis	Features — Urgency
Fatty lump / Lipoma (most common)	Soft, moveable, painless. Elective excision — no urgency.
Sebaceous cyst	Dome-shaped, punctum visible, moves with skin. Elective excision.
Persistent lymph node	Firm, non-tender, over 4 weeks. Must rule out TB lymphadenitis (very common in Bangladesh), lymphoma or metastatic cancer. Urgent assessment + FNAC.
Thyroid nodule	Midline lump moving with swallowing. Requires thyroid ultrasound and FNAC.

Likely Diagnosis	Features — Urgency
Lipoma (overwhelmingly most common)	Upper back and shoulder = single most common site for these fatty benign growths in Bangladesh. Soft, moveable. Elective excision.
Sebaceous cyst	Mid-back common site. Prone to infection in summer. Elective excision.
Soft tissue sarcoma (rare — red flag)	Hard, fixed, rapidly growing deep lump. URGENT — MRI and biopsy required.

Likely Diagnosis	Features
Fatty lump / Lipoma	Most common arm lump. Soft, moveable, upper arm predominant.
Dermatofibroma	Small, firm, brownish nodule on forearm or upper arm. Dimple sign. Benign.
Ganglion cyst	Smooth, rounded, over wrist or hand dorsum. Transilluminates. Aspiration or excision.

Likely Diagnosis	Features — Urgency
Benign lump / sebaceous cyst	Most common. Standard features. Elective excision.
Breast lump (women) — ALWAYS URGENT	Any new breast lump in a woman requires urgent triple assessment — clinical + mammogram/ultrasound + FNAC. Never assume a breast lump is benign without investigation.

Likely Diagnosis	Features
Pilar cyst (most common scalp lump)	Type of sebaceous cyst from hair follicle root. Firm, smooth, non-tender. Multiple pilar cysts run in families. Excision without shaving hair.
Benign fatty lump	Soft, moveable scalp lump. Less common than pilar cyst.
Scalp abscess	Painful, red, fluctuant — often follows a scratch or folliculitis. Common in Bangladesh’s tropical climate. Incision, drainage and antibiotics.

See Dr. Nazrul Islam urgently if your lump has ANY of these features:

Lipoma, Sebaceous Cyst & Benign Tumor Removal in Dhaka — Book Your Assessment

Found a lump on your body? Do not panic — and do not ignore it. Most lumps are benign fatty growths or sebaceous cysts, completely curable with a simple 15–30 minute procedure under local anaesthetic. But all new or growing lumps deserve a surgeon’s assessment.

Dr. Muhammad Nazrul Islam performs lipoma excision, sebaceous cyst removal and fibroma excision in Dhaka — same-day discharge, minimal scarring, histopathological confirmation of every excised specimen.

📞 Call or WhatsApp: +88019 7684 2234

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