What should you know about skin lump removal?

The term may refer to excision of a lump from the breast or another area of skin. The clinician chooses the method after examining the lump and considering its size, position, appearance, and whether a tissue diagnosis is needed.

During an excision, the area is cleaned and numbed or anaesthesia is given, then the clinician removes the lump through a small cut. The wound may be closed with stitches, and the removed tissue can be sent for laboratory examination. This helps identify what the lump is rather than relying on appearance alone.

Some lumps are monitored or sampled instead of removed immediately. A breast lump is a common presentation of breast cancer, but many breast lumps have other explanations; an examination and appropriate imaging or biopsy are needed to clarify the cause.

Tell the care team about medicines, allergies, pregnancy possibility, and any bleeding or healing problems. Follow the instructions about eating, drinking, bathing, and medicines before the procedure. Arrange practical help if the treated area may make movement uncomfortable.

Afterward, keep the dressing and wound care instructions in place, avoid pressure or strenuous activity as advised, and watch for increasing redness, swelling, discharge, or pain. The team will explain when results are expected and how the wound will be reviewed.

Arrange a clinical assessment for a new, growing, hard, fixed, painful, or persistent lump, or for a lump with skin dimpling, nipple change, or unusual discharge. These signs do not establish a diagnosis, but they should not be assessed by self-treatment alone.

After removal, seek prompt medical advice for heavy bleeding, wound separation, fever, spreading redness, pus-like drainage, worsening swelling, or pain that is not controlled by the plan you were given.

Ask: What does the examination suggest? Do I need imaging or a biopsy before removal? What type of anaesthesia will be used? Will the tissue be tested? How should I care for the wound, and when will I receive the result?