Lipoma Removal and Cyst Excision in Cairo
Lipoma removal and cyst excision are short procedures to take out lumps under the skin that are growing, uncomfortable or simply unwanted. They are carried out under local anaesthetic by a general surgeon in New Cairo, who first confirms what the lump is and whether removal is actually needed.
Lipomas and skin cysts: what they are
A lipoma is a soft, rubbery lump of fat that grows slowly under the skin and moves slightly when pressed. It can be the size of a pea or several centimetres across, often appears on the shoulders, back, arms or thighs, and is usually painless and harmless.
An epidermoid cyst, often called a sebaceous cyst, is a round lump just under the skin filled with keratin, sometimes with a small dark spot (punctum) in the centre. Cysts can become red, sore and infected. Neither lipomas nor cysts are cancerous, and you cannot catch them from someone else.
Do you need it removed?
Many lumps can be safely left alone. Removal makes sense when a lump is growing, painful, getting infected repeatedly, catching on clothes or a hairbrush, or bothering you because of how it looks. Any lump that is hard, fixed, growing quickly, painful, red or hot should be examined; occasionally an ultrasound or other scan is arranged to confirm the diagnosis before surgery.
Please do not squeeze a cyst: if it bursts it can become infected, or an existing infection can spread.
How the removal is done
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you are awake but feel no pain. For a cyst, the surgeon makes a small incision, often an ellipse around the punctum, and removes the whole sac intact — leaving part of the wall behind is the main reason cysts return. A lipoma is shelled out through an incision planned along the natural skin lines.
The wound is closed with fine stitches, often dissolvable and beneath the skin, for a neat scar. Most procedures take around 20–45 minutes and you walk out shortly afterwards. When appropriate, the tissue is sent to the laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.
If a cyst is infected
An inflamed cyst is usually treated first with antibiotics or, if an abscess forms, drainage. Removing the cyst is easier and cleaner once the inflammation has settled, typically after a few weeks. Similar principles apply to infection in the buttock cleft — see pilonidal sinus surgery.
Risks and recovery
Risks are low but include bruising, a small collection of blood or fluid, wound infection, and a visible scar that fades over months. A cyst can recur if any lining is left behind, and new cysts or lipomas can appear elsewhere. Most people return to work the same or the next day, avoiding strain on the area until the stitches are out or dissolved.
Local anaesthetic
Awake, comfortable and home shortly afterwards.
Complete removal
The whole cyst sac is taken to lower the chance of return.
Neat closure
Incisions planned along skin lines with fine stitches.
Diagnosis confirmed
Tissue sent to the laboratory when appropriate.
Recovery timeline
Home shortly after; mild soreness eased with simple painkillers. Keep the dressing dry.
Stitches removed or dissolving, depending on the site. Wound check at follow-up.
The scar softens and fades; sun protection helps it settle.
Cost & what’s included
The cost of lipoma or cyst removal depends on the size, number and location of the lumps, whether a scan or laboratory analysis is needed, and the type of anaesthetic. A personalised quote is given after examination.
A personalised quote
You receive a detailed quote after your assessment, covering the surgeon, anaesthesia, hospital and stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is lipoma removal painful?
The local anaesthetic injection stings briefly, then the area is numb for the procedure. Afterwards most people need only simple painkillers for a day or two, and many return to normal activities the next day.
Will a lipoma or cyst come back after removal?
A lipoma that is fully removed rarely returns in the same place. A cyst can recur if part of its wall is left behind, which is why the whole sac is removed. New lipomas or cysts can still develop elsewhere.
Will removal leave a scar?
Any cut through the skin leaves a scar, but planning the incision along skin lines and closing it with fine stitches keeps it as neat as possible. Scars usually fade and soften over several months.
Can a lipoma turn into cancer?
Lipomas are benign. Rarely, a lump that looks like a lipoma is a different type of growth, so a lump that is hard, fixed, painful or growing quickly should be assessed, and removed tissue may be checked in the laboratory.
Can I remove a sebaceous cyst at home?
No. Squeezing or cutting a cyst at home risks infection and scarring and usually leaves the sac behind, so it comes back. A cyst that bothers you should be removed properly under local anaesthetic.
References
This information is general education and does not replace a medical examination. Treatment decisions are made after assessing your case.
Have a question about your case?
Send your question and the clinic team will contact you to arrange a consultation, usually within the same working day.
- An honest assessment of your case
- A clear plan before any decision
- A detailed quote after examination