Most lumps and bumps you can feel under the skin are completely harmless. The most common types a general surgeon sees are lipomas (collections of fatty tissue), epidermoid or sebaceous cysts, and enlarged lymph nodes. Even so, any new lump that is growing, changing, or causing discomfort deserves a proper assessment — not because most of them are dangerous, but because it is always better to know what you are dealing with.
Lipoma: a soft, smooth, painless fatty lump under the skin. Lipomas can appear almost anywhere on the body and are very common. They are benign and grow slowly. Epidermoid (sebaceous) cyst: a firm cyst just under the skin's surface, often with a small visible central dot (the punctum). These can become red, swollen, and painful if they get infected. Lymph node: small glands that swell when your body is fighting an infection nearby. If a swollen lymph node in the neck, armpit, or groin does not settle within a few weeks, it needs to be checked. Ganglion cyst: a smooth, fluid-filled swelling that tends to appear near joints or tendons, often on the wrist. Dermatofibroma: a firm, small nodule in the skin, most common on the legs — often found incidentally.
Please do not wait if your lump has any of these features: it is growing quickly; it feels hard or is fixed to the tissues underneath; the edges feel irregular; the skin over it is changing colour or breaking down; it is painful in a way that seems out of proportion to its size; it is in your neck, armpit, or groin and has not gone away after 4–6 weeks; or you have also noticed unexplained weight loss or night sweats. These features do not necessarily mean something serious, but they do mean a prompt assessment is needed.
Most benign lumps can be diagnosed by a careful physical examination alone. If there is any uncertainty, an ultrasound scan is a safe and effective way to get a clearer look at what is underneath the skin. If there is still doubt after imaging, the lump may be removed or a small sample taken (a biopsy) so that it can be examined under the microscope — this is the most reliable way to know exactly what something is.
If a lump is harmless and not causing you any trouble, you can simply keep an eye on it. If it is painful, infected, keeps coming back, or is bothering you cosmetically, removing it is a straightforward option. Small lumps can be removed under local anaesthetic (a simple injection to numb the area) in a clinic or procedure room — you stay awake and go home straight away. Larger or deeper lumps may need a short general anaesthetic. Every lump that is removed is sent to the laboratory for examination, so you always know exactly what it was.
Mr Nguyen examines every lump carefully and, where needed, arranges an ultrasound or other imaging before making any decision about surgery. Small lumps requiring only local anaesthetic are often removed at a dedicated procedure session without a lengthy wait. Larger or deeper lumps needing general anaesthetic are booked as day procedures at Warringal Private Hospital or Epworth Eastern. Every specimen removed is sent for laboratory examination, and the results are discussed with you clearly at a follow-up appointment.
If your lump has any of the warning features listed above, please seek a review promptly rather than watching and waiting. Equally, if a lump that has been stable for a long time starts to grow, change shape, or becomes painful, that change is a reason to get it assessed again — even if it was checked before.
Your GP will send a referral and most patients are seen within one to two weeks. At the consultation, Mr Nguyen will examine the lump carefully, ask about how it has changed over time, and arrange an ultrasound or other imaging if needed to clarify what it is. For the vast majority of lumps, this assessment is reassuring and a plan can be made at that visit.
Small superficial lumps can often be removed under local anaesthetic at a dedicated procedure session, without a lengthy wait. Larger or deeper lumps are booked as day procedures under general anaesthetic at Warringal Private Hospital or Epworth Eastern. Every specimen removed is sent for laboratory examination, and the results are discussed with you clearly at a follow-up appointment so you know exactly what was found.
The honest answer is: probably not — the vast majority of lumps under the skin are benign. But rather than worrying about it, getting it properly assessed is always the right move. A quick examination, and sometimes an ultrasound, is usually all it takes to give you a clear answer and settle your mind.
Small, shallow lumps can usually be removed under local anaesthetic — a simple numbing injection, similar to what a dentist uses. You stay awake and can go home the same day. Larger, deeper, or multiple lumps may need a short general anaesthetic as a day procedure, meaning you go to sleep briefly and wake up when it is done.
If the laboratory examination of a removed lump shows something that needs further attention, Mr Nguyen will arrange the appropriate imaging and refer you to the right specialist without delay. Finding a rare malignant lump early — before it has grown or spread — significantly improves the outlook, which is exactly why having lumps assessed rather than ignored matters.
Mr Ba Nguyen consults at his rooms in Heidelberg and operates at Warringal Private Hospital, Heidelberg, and Epworth Eastern, Box Hill. A GP or specialist referral is required.