ask: i have a lump on my tailbone and i dont know whether it is a lipoma or liposarcoma
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Anonymous
April 27, 2010 - 1:52pm
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I assume you are referring to a lump that you can feel under the skin (not actually on your tailbone itself)?
Anytime you have a lump that is new, does not go away by itself after a few days, should be evaluated by a health care provider.
A limpoma is a lump that is not cancerous, and according to the Mayo Clinic, "often a lipoma is easy to identify because it moves readily with slight finger pressure. It's doughy to touch and usually not tender."
Have you tried this?
A liposarcoma is diagnosable only by tests (Xray, biopsy, etc) performed by medical personnel. We can provide more information on the type of tests and what to expect.
I'm wondering why you have diagnosed your lump as one of these two conditions? Have you been to the doctor, and if so, did s/he provide you with any information about how your lump could be diagnosed?
April 27, 2010 - 5:08pmThis Comment
thank you for the reply
May 4, 2010 - 12:35pmi previously had a lipoma on my forearm which i had removed, and the lump on my tail tailbone seems somewhat different as it is harder, less movable and is not perfectly circular. i herd that a liposarcoma has the same symptoms as a lipoma and that is why i diagnosed it as one of these two conditions!
Anon,
I also have had a lipoma removed. They are so soft and movable that once you have had one, you are very familiar with the feeling.
Since this lump feels different, I agree with Alison -- you should have it checked out. But you should know that the Mayo Clinic says that liposarcoma tumors typically appear in the deep fat tissues of the thigh or abdomen -- not the back or tailbone area. Here is their page on liposarcomas:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/liposarcoma/
Will you get it checked out, and come back and let us know?
May 5, 2010 - 9:02amI have a lump on my lower back right above my tailbone. It is under the skin but it is not sore or tender but it sticks out. I noticed it for the first time about a month ago and it was there for a few days then it was gone. It's back again but still no soreness or tenderness. There is no redness around it or anything. Has anyone else experienced this or something similar to this? Oh, the lump isn't hard or soft, it's kind of in between.
June 15, 2010 - 10:05pmAnon - Since the lump has returned you should have it checked out my your healthcare provider. It may be a lipoma (non cancerous) but it could also be something else. It's best to have it checked out. Will you let us know what you learn?
June 16, 2010 - 5:57pmokay i've been o the doctor and he diagnosed me with pilonidal sinus/sac
August 6, 2010 - 10:40amAnon - Did you discuss treatment options with your doctor? You'll find a lot of information on our pilibudal cyst page: http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/pilonidal-cyst
Some people chose to just ignore these. Others use home remedies, while others seek medical intervention.
Home Treatment
As with all localized infections under the skin, hot water soaks will draw out the infection. This will not completely cure the condition, but it will help.
Incision and Drainage
The abscess is sliced, the pus drained, and the wound is packed with sterile gauze. This helps it heal from the inside out. But this usually does not cure the problem because abnormal tissue remains.
Excision
To completely cure the condition, all affected tissue needs to be removed. This is a more extensive surgical procedure than simple incision and drainage. The surgical wound may be closed with sutures or left open to heal from the inside.
Laser Hair Removal
There are recent reports that laser hair removal in the area may be effective treatment for pilonidal cysts.
August 6, 2010 - 4:54pmI too experienced the exact same thing years ago. I was in the Army at the time and working out a lot. This included doing a ton of situps and crunches. While doing a rapid rate series of situps on hard ground, I felt a bizarre "popping" sensation on my tailbone. Thinking nothing about it I finished my workout and headed back to the barracks. While showering I felt this bizarre lump on my tailbone through the skin. There was no bleeding or pain so I ignored it. By the next morning, the lump had grown considerably and now hurt to touch it or the surrounding area.
May 19, 2011 - 12:49amI went on sick call and the medic who first examined it said it was a "traumatic" cyst. Like a blister, it formed when the skin, being held almost immovable against the hard ground was "rubbed" from the inside by the tailbone. This created a loose pocket between the layers of skin which of course filled with fluid and became engorged.
The doctor who eventually examined me said he could drain it and see if it healed, but recommend opening it fully, removing all fluid and damaged tissue. Then it would be treated with antibiotics and packed with a sterile gauze strip to allow it to heal from the inside out.
I experienced no real problems except the surgeon used an extremely strong version of local anesthetic. Unlike the typical "bee sting" you experience with lidocaine this was more like a 400 lb. wasp! However I was numb from my back almost through my body to my front and from the lower back almost to my knees, so I guess it was better than being stuck a bunch of times with normal local anesthetic. Removing the guaze was also a very weird sensation but it served its purpose.
The open wound quickly closed and healed. My only limitations were a couple of days bedrest (on my belly of course) and taking it easy for a few weeks. This put a real cramp in my workouts but proper healing is way more important. I now have a scar that very much resembles an "in-ny" navel on my back. My kids used to I had two bellybuttons.
So, if you haven't done anything yet I highly recommend the D&C procedure. I've never had a single problem since. Good Luck!
Hi i have a lump right at my tailbone its round and its very soft in the middle feels like a hole and its hard round the outs can you tell me what it might be ? thanks tom
August 14, 2011 - 3:12pmi was also doing situps and a lump appeared under the skin where my tailbone is, should i see a doctor?
August 28, 2011 - 3:56am