Soft Tissue Tumors
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Michael Tarlowe, MD
Serving Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding areas
Even if you have a skin cyst or soft tumor that’s benign, it might still be uncomfortable or unwanted. Michael H. Tarlowe, MD, is a skilled general surgeon who can remove your skin cyst or soft-tissue tumor with a safe and effective procedure. Get started today by calling the Deerfield Beach, Florida office, serving Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding areas or request your appointment online.
Soft Tissue Tumors Q & A
What is a soft-tissue tumor?
A soft-tissue tumor is a mass of tissue or growth that can develop in almost any location on the body, including between:
- Muscles
- Ligaments
- Nerves
- Blood vessels
The most common type of soft-tissue tumors are called lipomas. They’re composed of fat and grow just beneath the surface of your skin. They usually develop slowly, taking months or even years to fully mature.
A lipoma looks like a soft bulge of tissue under your skin, and may or may not cause pain or discomfort.
How do you treat a soft-tissue tumor?
Dr. Tarlowe can remove your soft tissue tumor with an outpatient surgical procedure. He administers a local anesthetic to numb your tumor and the tissue around it, makes a surgical incision in your skin above the location of the lump, and “shells out” the mass within.
Lipomas don’t always need to be removed, especially if they’re not producing any disagreeable or problematic symptoms. If your soft-tissue tumor is deep within your body, or if Dr. Tarlowe suspects that it might not be benign, he orders an MRI and biopsy before performing any surgical procedure.
What is a skin cyst?
A skin cyst is a closed pocket of tissue that’s filled with pus, fluid, or some other bodily material. They’re fairly common and aren’t harmful to your health.
There are a few different types of cysts, the most common of which is an epidermoid cyst (frequently and incorrectly referred to as a sebaceous cyst). Epidermoid cysts are slow-growing, painless, and smooth. They can occur anywhere on your skin, but they develop most frequently on your face, neck, and trunk.
How do you treat a skin cyst?
Epidermoid cysts typically don’t need treatment, but if they get infected, ruptured, or inflamed, they can become painful and might need to be drained. Many patients request to have their epidermoid cyst surgically removed after being drained, which is a minor procedure that Dr. Tarlowe performs in the office.
To learn more about how Dr. Tarlowe can treat your soft-tissue tumor or skin cyst, schedule a visit today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.
