What's wrong if your 6-year-old son has a small painless lump on his neck which started as a small pimple but is now looking very obvious and there's no pain or discomfort when you touch or press it?

Dear Dr. B,
Thanks so much for your prompt reply...Infact we have been recommended by our Paediatrician to take the opinion of a Surgeon.
We have an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow i.e. 30th Nov'05 at 10.am (India time)....will write to you once I am back.
Thankx once again.
Rekha
It's hard to know without an actual exam, so I'd certainly have him seen by his physician. A small lump on the neck could be multiple things; if it's on the outside as it sounds, it could be a cyst or a local skin infection from being hit in the area, having an insect bite, or having a hair follicle that became infected. If it's a bit deeper, it could be an enlarged lymph node depending on its location.
Hope this helps!
Dr. B.  

Answer

Dear Dr.B,
Thanks for your valuable inputs...As I had mentioned to you in my earlier communication, we met the Surgeon who was referred to us by our Paediatrician.
He said that the growth is that of the Sebacious Gland which has to be operated upon....Removal is the only remedy he said....but he said there is nothing to worry abt it too....The surgery will last for abt 15 - 30 mts & he could be discharged frm the Hospital the same day of surgery he said.
May I request you to kindly send me any more information on this surgery or this kind of cases that you may have come across...its just for my knowledge & also for me to feel a little more better....
A small request from a concerned mother....thanks...
Thanks so much in advance....
Regards
Rekha Murali  

Answer

A sebaceous cyst is pretty easy to remove, but they occasionally come back. They are not serious and are certainly nothing like cancer. The only issue is that the patient in question is only 6, so he won't understand what people are doing to him. We often will take the cysts out with a little local anesthetic and a scalpel.
Hope this helps--and I hope the surgery, if it already happened, went well!
Dr. B.  

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Dear Dr. B,
Thanx so much for your reply...The operation is to be conducted on 16th Dec'05. Infact the dr. was mentioning to us that since the cyst has occured in the neck, its very difficult to do it on Local anasthesia but instead the patient will have to be given a General Anasthesia. The operation will be held in the morning & the patient will be dischared by the end of the day.
Please advice more tips or preventions to be taken post operation.
Thanks a ton,
Rekha  

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Dear Dr. B,
Any more suggestions or do's & don't's you would suggest both pre & Post Surgery.
I guess this would help me a lot better...
Thanx a ton...
Rekha  

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Ask your son's doctor as he/she is much more aware of his personal circumstances.  

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As with any minor surgery on a child, you should try to see what kinds of questions your son has and see if you can answer these to alleviate some of the fear about the procedure using terms he would understand. Kids like to know that you will be there the whole time; additionally, if you appear scared about the procedure, he undoubtedly will be as well. Other than that, there generally aren't any things that you have to do prior to the operation unless your physician specifically mentioned something. You will most likely be instructed when to stop letting your son eat and drink the night before.
After the procedure, expect that he will be very tired and will not remember much for most of the day. Unless it is a really large cyst they are removing, he probably won't experience very much pain, although they may give some medications to help with it if he does experience any. Expect that it may take a few days for him to completely recover and be his normal self after anesthesia. Ask his physician for which signs or symptoms you should report to him or her (such as fever, severe pain, etc.).
Other than that, you hopefully have a good enough relationship with your son's physician to be able to ask questions; most physicians do not mind (and should do so) answering questions about procedures they are about to do--it's part of the job.
Hope this helps!
Dr. B.  

Answer

Dear Dr. B,
Sorry for the delayed response.
The surgery was successfully conducted on Friday - 16th Dec'05 & lasted for about 45 minutes.
He is doing fine now...post surgery & hasn't really complained of any sort of pain except for immediately on the day of the surgery which is quite natural. He was given General Anasthesia & was discharged on the same day.
Thankyou so much Dr.B for your support & valuable advice.
Warm Regards
Rekha