Growths on Scalp

These sound like subaceous cysts. They are usually benign, that is not cancer. If the one is that large it probably should be removed. Surgery won'y hurt much at all, and healing at his age should be fairly fast. He may or may not re-grow hair depending on a lot of things, like how long and so on. But he should see a surgeon.

I appreciate your response, But I would like some more detailed information. Receiving a possible name for them is appreciated, however I really need more detailed information. My father does not have medical coverage, so I would help him with all that removing it might require. He is a very stubborn man and has lived with them for several years now and it will be difficult to urge him to seek medical help. Therefore, I want to obtain everything that I possible can on this option to be more informative when I approach him.

Could you explain subacious cysts in more detail? What causes them? Is it hereditary? Does it skip generations? Is it gender specific (i.e from mother to son, only, etc.)?
Is it normally outpatient? What are the possible long term problems associated with them if he doesn't have them removed?

I understand that in the end he will need to see a medical doctor, but before he will even consider going I would like to give him possible causes. I realize that none of this is posivitve until he receives a diagnosis from a medical doctor.

Although your father's problem may be sebaceous cysts, based on their location, I think it is much more likely that his lumps are fatty tumors.

Also called Lipomas, they are merely a clump of fat cells under your skin that are sometimes visible but not harmful. While their exact cause is unknown, there doesn't appear to be any intriguing genetic or gender factors at work.

Even the treatment choices are boring. Either ignore them completely or have a doctor remove them by making a tiny incision and squeeze out the offending fat deposit. Click on the above link to find out more.

Of course, there is the possibility that your father's lumps may have a more serious cause. So, the primary goal is to get your dad to see a dermatologist. You will have to decide how much information to share with him -- enough to motivate him to seek diagnosis. but not so much that he becomes too scared to see a doctor about this.

Let me know if you need more input. If not, thanks for the opportunity to assist you... I would really appreciate your honoring my efforts by 'pushing the button' and Accepting this answer. Adding a bonus -- should you wish to do so -- is always warmly welcomed.

Good Luck!

Steve


Edited by Oreport on August 1 2005 at 2:29am

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First, the initial spelling that someone posted was incorrect, it should be "sebaceous cyst". A cyst is a harmless, sac-like growth in the deeper layers of the skin. They form from the lining of a hair follicle that gets blocked. It is not known why cysts appear, nor why some persons get many of them. Cysts are a nuisance, but they rarely become cancerous or malignant. They can get inflamed if the contents of the cyst rupture into the surrounding skin. This makes them red and painful, and they may discharge yellow pus. Occasionally bacteria enter the cyst and cause an infection which resembles a boil. Cysts under 5mm are usually left alone, those larger are surgically removed under local anaesthetic.

Ok, now with that being said... After reviewing the multitudes of cyst types out there, I think that you need to look at a couple more in depth based on his symptoms.

1 - Trichilemmal cysts, Also called Pilar Cysts(scalp cysts, often multiple and familial, arising from hair root sheath) This is generally non malignant, but rarely it will become malignant. Based on everything that you've described and the pictures available on the web, I would strongly recommend that you view these pictures (I tried to insert them into this description, but was not able to do so) to determine if there are similarities. Your father would need to be seen quickly now that there is rapid growth of one of the cysts, since that can be a sign of malignancy.

Please see: http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic328.htm

2 - Nodular Cancer (Also called Cystic Cancer b/c it forms a cyst under the skin- Generally Basal Skin Cancers. Although this is a possibility, I've had this exact type of nodular cancer before and done a ton of research on it... Your father's symptoms seem to be more likely to be the item mentioned above rather then this.


Again, I am strongly urging you to view the link posted above and to schedule an appt. for your father with a dermatologist. I personally saw the dermatologists located there in Pittsburgh, PA and they were fantastic!

Let me know if you have any additional questions about the facility there!

Good luck with everything!
Shauna

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Steve thank you for your response. I really appreciated your advice to be cautious on the approach I use with my father. He is a very stubborn man and avoids medical help at all costs. I am going to check out the information you gave me on my lunch hour. Thanks again!

Shauna thank you! I appreciated the thought you put into your response. It is obvious that you have researched this in depth. I really appreciate the fact that you listed several other possible answers and links to support the information provided. I am going to check the links out in more detail on my lunch hour.   

P.S. I was really interested in finding some pictures I could look at. I have not been successful at finding any. You mentioned pictures in your posting. I did check out the first link you listed, but I was unable to find images associated with Pilar Cysts.

No problem! Just go to Yahoo.com and click on the tab that says "images". The search bar should turn pink and you'll see that it now says "search images" instead of just "search the web".

You can then just do searches for : "Pilar Cysts" or another search for "Trichilemmal cysts" to bring up images with those same titles.

If after viewing the images you find that your father has something similar, I hope you will consider clicking "Accept". If I can offer any additional information, please let me know. I am more then happy to help where I'm able to!

Good luck with your father. I'm sure that it's been a scary issue for you guys, but hopefully you'll be able to convince him to treat it before it becomes a much bigger issue then it needs to be. Good luck!

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THAT'S IT! There was another picture that was better listed under Trichilemmal Cyst. The one pictured is much smaller than the ones my father has. They all started that size, but like I said the one on the front of his scalp is already the size of a baseball.

I feel much better about the entire situation. I feel that he will be more receptive to seeing a dermatologist if I reassure him that he is not alone and other people have similiar experiences.

I'm so glad!! It took me a little while to research it, but I know how stressful it can be when there's a medical issue going on, even more so when it's someone that you care about.

All you have to do to complete the process now is click the Accept button listed above. Pleaes keep us informed on how he does after meeting with a specialist!

Good luck to you both!

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Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I am more then happy to be of assistance.