Cyst, Lipoma and Lump Removal in Somerset West

Most lumps under the skin are harmless, but they can be sore, unsightly or simply worrying. At West-Med The Sanctuary in Somerset West, a doctor assesses your lump first and, where it is suitable, removes it in our procedure room under local anaesthetic. You go home the same day with written aftercare instructions and a date for your wound review.

What we remove

• Sebaceous and epidermoid cysts: smooth, round lumps under the skin, often with a small dark opening on top. They fill with a soft, cheesy material and can become red and painful if they get infected.
• Lipomas: soft, rubbery lumps of fatty tissue that move under the skin when you press them. They grow slowly and are usually painless.
• Other benign skin lumps: such as dermatofibromas and other small growths that a doctor has examined and found to be harmless, but that rub, catch or bother you.

When to have a lump checked

Book an assessment if a lump:

• is getting bigger
• is painful or tender
• feels hard or fixed, rather than moving under the skin
• keeps getting infected

If a lump changes quickly, grows fast or appears for no obvious reason, book promptly rather than waiting to see what it does.

How lump removal works

1. Assessment: your doctor examines the lump, asks how long it has been there and whether it has changed, and decides whether it can be removed in-rooms.
2. Removal: the area is numbed with local anaesthetic, a small cut is made and the lump is lifted out. With a cyst we aim to take the whole cyst wall, which makes it less likely to come back. The wound is closed with stitches.
3. Histology when needed: if there is any doubt about what a lump is, it goes to the laboratory to be examined.
4. Aftercare and wound review: written wound care instructions, then a follow-up visit to check healing and take out the stitches.

Lumps we refer on

Some lumps are better removed by a surgeon in theatre, for example a very large or deep lipoma, or a lump close to important structures. If yours is one of them, we explain why and refer you directly, with your notes and any scan results sent ahead.

Medical aid and costs

Lump removal may be covered by your medical aid when there is a medical reason for it, depending on your scheme and plan. Use our medical aid checker to see whether we accept your scheme, and reception will give you a quote once your lump has been assessed.