Head Lumps: Common Causes and When to Seek Medical Evaluation

Note

As an AI, I cannot assess physical symptoms. The following is general information.

Common Causes of Scalp/Head Lumps

• Sebaceous cyst: Mobile, dome-shaped, punctum; keratin-filled.
• Lipoma: Soft, rubbery, mobile, non-tender; benign fat tumor.
• Enlarged lymph node: Reactive (infection), or malignant; firm, mobile/fixed.
• Dermatofibroma: Firm, dimple sign; benign.
• Pilar cyst: Scalp; firm, smooth, mobile.
• Bone prominence: Normal anatomy (mastoid, occipital protuberance).
• Trauma: Hematoma, callus.
• Skin cancer: BCC, SCC, melanoma (changing, bleeding, irregular).
• Skull metastasis: Rare; hard, fixed.

When to See a Doctor

• New lump >2 weeks
• Growing, painful, ulcerated, bleeding
• Fixed to bone, hard, irregular
• Associated neurologic symptoms
• History of cancer

Evaluation

History, exam, ± ultrasound, biopsy, imaging (CT/MRI).