Don’t say “If there is no pain, it is a simple fatty gland”! Leech therapy, cupping and herbal therapy can increase the danger. Here are some common misconceptions about the sebaceous glands
Sometimes it appears on the wrist, sometimes on the abdomen, arms, back, neck… It can grow from the head of a pin to the size of a walnut and even exceed 10 centimeters, turning into a giant appearance. Fat glands (lipomas), which are a very common problem, knock on the door of approximately 1 in every 1000 people.
While Orthopedic Oncology Specialists state that sebaceous glands are the most common benign soft tissue tumors worldwide, “The biggest danger in sebaceous glands, which generally move easily when touched and do not often cause pain, is that they can mimic malignant soft tissue masses!” “For this reason, do not think of the lumps on your body, that is, superficial and deep subcutaneous masses, as fatty glands and be sure to consult a specialist physician.”
Dermatology experts state that although the exact causes of sebaceous glands are not known, they can also occur as a result of genetic disorders, disorders such as hypercholesterolemia, where the cholesterol level in the blood is very high, obesity and chronic strokes (trauma), and emphasize that misinformation assumed to be true in the society can lead to life-threatening risks. Experts explained 5 common misconceptions about sebaceous glands and made important warnings and suggestions.
“Everyone has fatty glands on their body, it is normal”: FALSE!
THE TRUTH: The approach of ‘It is a common problem that can be seen in everyone’s body’ is one of the most dangerous and false beliefs in society. Not every swelling that can be seen from the outside and that we can touch may not be a sebaceous gland. These lesions can be benign masses such as fibroma, hemangioma and nodular fasciitis, or they can be tumors and cancers called sarcomas, which are very aggressive, malignant and can be life-threatening if not treated in time.
If there is no pain, it is a simple sebaceous glands: WRONG!
THE TRUTH: Sebaceous glands are painless, but depending on their size, they can put pressure on the surrounding vascular nerve structures, causing complaints and symptoms that may cause pain, numbness, or even loss of movement. In addition, some subtypes of sebaceous glands called ‘spindle cell tumor’ or ‘angiolipoma’, which are rare tumors, can spontaneously cause pain.
The lesions are all benign: INCORRECT!
THE TRUTH: Orthopedics and Traumatology, Orthopedic Oncology Specialists say, “Unfortunately, some tumorous swellings containing sebaceous gland-like cells called liposarcoma are quite aggressive and have the potential to spread, that is, metastasize, to other organs of the body. “They should be treated at the appropriate time and under the supervision of orthopedic oncologists,” he says.
The problem is solved with herbal treatment: WRONG!
TRUTH: One of the common misinformation in our society is; Fat glands and other masses can be treated with leech therapy, cupping and some herbal ointments! Emphasizing that sebaceous glands cannot be treated with leeches, cupping and herbal ointments, experts say, “Practices that are completely away from the scientific literature, suggested and carried out by people who have no interest in the subject and have no medical education, can make the situation of our patients more complicated and even lead to life-threatening consequences!” He warns that medical treatment is essential.
It can be removed without biopsy: WRONG!
TRUTH: Orthopedic Oncology Specialists emphasize that the belief that all superficial masses in the body can be removed by any doctor without appropriate imaging methods is not true and can cause serious harm, and said, “Unfortunately, almost half of the patients who apply to the orthopedic oncology clinic are diagnosed with ‘simple surgery’ without inappropriate imaging and biopsy elsewhere.” It consists of patients with malignant tumors called sarcomas, which are thought to be ‘sebaceous glands’! “Inappropriate initial surgery makes secondary surgery difficult and also threatens the patient’s life by increasing the recurrence rate,” he warns.
Experts say that in order to prevent such events from occurring, imaging methods should be applied and biopsies should be performed with the appropriate technique under appropriate conditions in suspected cases. They say, “The person performing the biopsy should also be competent to perform tumor surgery and it should be performed under the management of a multidisciplinary team.”
References:
Makrantonaki E, Ganceviciene R, Zouboulis C. An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne. Dermatoendocrinol. 2011 Jan;3(1):41-9. doi: 10.4161/derm.3.1.13900. PMID: 21519409; PMCID: PMC3051853.