What Are Common Skin Lumps and Bumps?
Understanding common lumps, warning signs and when to seek advice
By Dr Thomas Hanna MBChB, FRCS, MSc, PGCE, PhD — Compass Surgical, Auckland
This is the first article in our series on skin lumps, bumps and minor surgical procedures.
Discovering a new lump can be worrying. One of the most common questions patients ask is: "Should I be concerned?"
Fortunately, most lumps that surgeons see are benign (non-cancerous) and many do not require urgent treatment. However, some lumps benefit from further assessment, and occasionally a lump can represent something more serious.
Understanding the common causes of lumps and knowing when to seek advice can help patients make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary anxiety.
What causes lumps and bumps?
There are many possible causes of lumps beneath the skin. Some arise from the skin itself, while others develop from fatty tissue, glands, connective tissue or deeper structures.
Common examples include:
- Cysts
- Lipomas (fatty lumps)
- Skin tags
- Moles
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Benign skin lesions
Many of these are harmless and may remain unchanged for years. Others can slowly enlarge, become uncomfortable or cause cosmetic concerns that lead patients to consider removal.
Further patient information about common skin lesions and skin cancer is available through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), Healthify NZ and the New Zealand Dermatological Society.
What is a cyst?
A cyst is one of the most common lumps encountered in surgical practice. Cysts are small sacs that develop beneath the skin and often contain keratin, fluid or other material.
They commonly appear on the scalp, face, neck, back and chest.
Many cysts cause no symptoms, although they can become inflamed, infected or gradually enlarge over time.
What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign growth of fatty tissue.
Lipomas are usually soft, mobile, slow growing and painless. They commonly occur on the shoulders, back, arms and trunk.
Although lipomas are not dangerous, some patients choose to have them removed because of discomfort, increasing size or cosmetic concerns.
When should I be concerned?
Most lumps are benign, but certain features deserve medical assessment. These include:
- Rapid growth
- Increasing pain
- Bleeding or ulceration
- Changes in colour or appearance
- A lump that feels fixed to deeper tissues
- Persistent enlargement
- A lump associated with unexplained weight loss or other concerning symptoms
Having one of these features does not necessarily mean a lump is cancerous, but it does mean further assessment is sensible.
If you are seriously unwell, have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, or believe you may have a medical emergency, call 111.
Do all lumps need removal?
No. Many lumps can simply be monitored.
The decision to remove a lump depends on several factors, including symptoms, size, location, cosmetic concerns, diagnostic uncertainty and patient preference.
For some patients, reassurance is all that is required. For others, removal provides a definitive diagnosis or relief from symptoms.
Understanding exactly what a lump is remains one of the most important parts of treatment planning. An accurate diagnosis helps determine whether reassurance, monitoring or removal is the most appropriate next step.
Should I see a surgeon?
It is worth seeking advice if:
- A lump is growing
- It is becoming uncomfortable
- You are concerned about its appearance
- The diagnosis is unclear
- Your GP recommends specialist assessment
A consultation allows the lump to be examined properly and, where appropriate, investigations arranged.
Most patients are reassured to learn that the majority of lumps and bumps seen in surgical practice are not serious.
The Compass Surgical approach
At Compass Surgical, we understand that even a small lump can create significant worry.
Our approach is built around patient-centred care, surgical integrity, evidence-based decision-making, clear communication and personalised treatment plans.
Whether a lump requires removal, further investigation or simply reassurance, our goal is to provide clear advice tailored to the individual patient.
What next?
The first step in managing any lump is establishing an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes this can be achieved through examination alone. In other situations, scans or tissue samples may be required.
In the next article in this series, "How Are Lumps and Bumps Diagnosed?", we explain how surgeons investigate lumps, when ultrasound scans are useful, and what happens if a biopsy is required. Further articles in this series will be added to the library.
Frequently asked questions
Are most lumps cancerous? No. The vast majority of lumps seen in surgical practice are benign.
What is the most common lump surgeons remove? Cysts and lipomas are among the most common benign lumps removed by surgeons.
Should every lump be scanned? No. Some lumps can be diagnosed clinically, while others may benefit from ultrasound or additional investigations.
Can a lipoma become cancerous? A typical lipoma does not become cancerous, although rapidly growing or unusual lumps should be assessed.
When should I seek medical advice? If a lump is growing, painful, changing in appearance or causing concern, it is sensible to seek assessment.
Need advice about a lump?
If you have noticed a new lump, or have a lump that is changing, uncomfortable or worrying you, Compass Surgical can help.
Working closely with your GP, we provide personalised, evidence-based advice tailored to your circumstances.
Contact Compass Surgical to arrange a consultation.
About the author
Dr Thomas Hanna MBChB, FRCS, MSc, PGCE, PhD
Dr Thomas Hanna is a general and transplant surgeon practising in Auckland. He trained in the United Kingdom before moving to New Zealand in 2019. He has specialist interests in hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, minimally invasive surgery and the management of skin lesions and soft tissue lumps. Tom is a founding partner of Compass Surgical and is committed to patient-centred surgical care, clear communication and surgery performed with integrity.
This article is part of the Compass Surgical patient education series, hosted by Loupa as an example of our patient education library.
Reviewed by Dr Thomas Hanna. Last reviewed: July 2026.
This article provides general information and education. It does not provide individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not replace advice from your own healthcare professional. If you are seriously unwell, have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, or believe you may have a medical emergency, call 111 or seek urgent medical care.