5 Important Points to Know About the Sebaceous Gland

Acıbadem Fulya Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Seyit Ali Gümüştaş explained 5 points that should be known about the oil gland. Popularly known as 'oil gland'; Lipomas that appear as a small lump on the arm, leg, back or any part of the body are mostly harmless, but in some cases they can be dangerous. Acıbadem Fulya Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Seyit Ali Gumustas; Stating that the swelling, which is seen as a simple oil gland, may actually be a malignant tumor, he says that an Orthopedic Oncology physician should be consulted for a definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Does not shrink by itself

While one-third of people with multiple sebaceous glands have a familial predisposition, the cause of the sebaceous glands is often unknown. While it is more common in overweight patients, the size of the sebaceous gland may increase during rapid weight gain. However, the size of the sebaceous glands does not decrease with weight loss.

It may not cause any complaints, but

While sebaceous glands usually do not cause any complaints, very large sebaceous glands can cause pain, numbness and tingling complaints by causing pressure on vessels and nerves. Don't let the fact that the oil gland on your arm, leg or back exists for a long time, is small, does not cause pain and does not grow, does not cause the perception that the tumor is benign! This false belief leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Also pay attention to these signs

Although malignant soft tissue tumors are much rarer than benign soft tissue tumors, these swellings can also be a symptom of a malignant soft tissue tumor. Patients usually apply to the physician because of the slow growing swelling recently increasing in size. Especially deep-seated, fast-growing, hard and painful swellings should also be a warning in terms of being malignant. For definitive diagnosis and treatment, an Orthopedic Oncology physician should be consulted without wasting time.

A definitive diagnosis should be made

Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Seyit Ali Gümüştaş “The most important point here is; It is the definitive determination of whether the existing swelling is a benign sebaceous gland or not. After a detailed examination, the diagnosis of the sebaceous gland can be made with MRI to a large extent. It may not be correct to diagnose only with ultrasonography. In doubtful cases, we can confirm the diagnosis by performing a biopsy. Any tumor whose diagnosis has not been confirmed should not be surgically removed.

For the right treatment

While most of the sebaceous glands are followed, Assoc. Dr. Seyit Ali Gümüştaş says: “Contrary to sebaceous glands, the treatment of malignant soft tissue tumors is much more specific and this process should be carried out by an experienced Orthopedic Oncology physician. The main treatment of malignant soft tissue tumors, which are likely to spread to other organs, especially the lung, is surgical removal of the tumor with wide margins. Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) is applied before or after surgery to facilitate the operation, to limit the tumor from the adjacent vascular nerve, and to reduce the possibility of recurrence. Chemotherapy can be applied in certain subtypes, deep-seated and large tumors, especially in the presence of escalation (metastasis). Patients who have been treated for malignant soft tissue tumors should be followed at regular intervals for many years, in terms of recurrence and escalation.