Most lumps in children are benign, meaning not cancerous. Common examples include cysts of the neck, skin cysts, lymph node enlargement, and soft-tissue growths. Many are harmless, but some grow, become infected, or simply worry families. We help you know which is which and remove those that need removing.
A lump in the neck
Thyroglossal duct cysts sit in the midline and may move when your child swallows. Branchial cleft cysts appear on the side of the neck.
A small bump on the skin
Dermoid cysts near the eyebrow or scalp are common in young children and often present from birth.
A swollen gland that stays swollen
Lymph nodes that remain enlarged after an illness has passed sometimes warrant a closer look.
A lump that gets red or sore
Cysts can become infected, which often makes removal the best long-term solution.
When to call, and when to go straight in
Call our office for any new lump, or one that is growing, so we can evaluate it. Go to the emergency room if a lump becomes rapidly swollen, hot, and very painful, if your child has a high fever, or if a neck lump makes breathing or swallowing difficult.
Talk it through
Discuss this with Dr. Frykman
Request an appointment and a member of the team will call you back. Urgent concerns are triaged the same day wherever possible.
Ultrasound only when it helps
Many lumps and bumps can be diagnosed on examination alone. If needed, most lumps can be characterized with a painless ultrasound, avoiding radiation and often avoiding a biopsy.
Watch when it is safe to watch
Many lumps simply need time and a recheck. We only recommend removal when it truly helps.
Small, well-placed incisions
When surgery is needed, incisions are hidden in natural skin folds and closed with fine dissolving stitches.
Before
A clear diagnosis
Exam and ultrasound usually tell us what a lump is. We discuss whether to watch it or remove it and answer every question.
Day of surgery
A short outpatient procedure
Under general anesthesia, the cyst or growth is removed completely so it is unlikely to return. Most children go home within hours.
Recovery
Quick healing, fading scar
Mild soreness lasts a few days. Pathology confirms the diagnosis and we review the results with you at follow-up.
Keep the incision clean and dry as instructed.
Mild bruising and swelling settle within a week or two.
Most children return to school within a couple of days.
Avoid rough play near the area for about two weeks.
Sunscreen on the healed scar helps it fade.
Dr. Philip K. Frykman
Board-certified pediatric surgeon
Most lumps turn out to be nothing dangerous, and I would rather you come in and hear that than worry at home.
Location, appearance, and ultrasound give us strong clues. Removal and pathology give the definitive answer.
When the whole cyst is removed, recurrence is uncommon.
No. Many are watched safely. We recommend removal for lumps that grow, get infected, or need a diagnosis.
We place incisions in skin folds whenever possible, and scars in children typically fade well.
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