Dimpling of Skin: What It Means and When to Get It Checked

Dimpling of skin is a small, shallow indentation or pucker in the skin surface. It can be harmless, but in some cases it is a sign that something beneath the skin is pulling the surface inward. For cancer patients and families in Hyderabad, India, and for international patients seeking a second opinion, the key question is usually whether the dimpling is linked to a lump, scar, infection, or tumour. This page explains the meaning of skin dimpling, common causes such as puckering skin, a lump on the thigh under the skin, or a bone lump on the shoulder, and how to get a calm, structured evaluation. It is general information, not a diagnosis.

• Dimpling of skin is a visible indentation or pucker. It may be caused by scarring, infection, fat, or a lump beneath the skin.
• A new, painless, firm lump with skin dimpling should be checked by a doctor.
• Dimpling over a breast, or changes in breast skin, need prompt assessment. See Orange Peel Breast Skin: What It Means and When to Get Help.
• A lump on the thigh under the skin or a bone lump on the shoulder may be benign, but imaging and biopsy may be needed to confirm.
• Cancer treatment planning is done by a medical oncologist. Surgery and radiation are delivered by surgical and radiation oncologists in a multidisciplinary team.
• Second opinions can be done in person at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, or online for patients outside Hyderabad and outside India.

The skin dimpling meaning depends on where it is and how long it has been present. Common causes include:

• Scar tissue or previous biopsy or surgery.
• Infection or inflammation, such as an abscess or a cyst.
• Fat necrosis, where fatty tissue becomes firm.
• Benign lumps such as lipomas or fibroadenomas.
• Malignant lumps that pull the skin inward, sometimes called puckering skin.
• Bone or soft-tissue lumps, including a bone lump on the shoulder.

Not every dimple is cancer. However, a dimple that appears over a new lump, or one that does not go away, should be evaluated.

You should get medical advice if dimpling of skin:

• Appears suddenly.
• Is linked to a lump you can feel.
• Is over the breast, chest, armpit, neck, thigh, or shoulder.
• Comes with pain, redness, swelling, or discharge.
• Does not improve after a few weeks.
• Is found alongside weight loss, night sweats, or fever.

For a lump on the thigh under the skin, doctors may check whether it is in the fat, muscle, or bone. For a bone lump on the shoulder, imaging such as an X-ray or MRI may be advised. A biopsy is often the only way to confirm the exact cause.

A doctor will ask about your history and examine the area. They may order:

• Ultrasound or other imaging.
• Blood tests.
• A biopsy, where a small sample of tissue is taken and examined.

If cancer is confirmed, a medical oncologist coordinates systemic treatment—chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or hormonal therapy—while surgical and radiation oncologists manage surgery and radiation. Dr. Harish Kancharla is a medical oncologist and hemato-oncologist, Senior Consultant at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad. He is DM (Medical Oncology) from AIIMS, New Delhi, and MD (Internal Medicine) from PGIMER, Chandigarh. He is registered with the Telangana State Medical Council (registration number 77186). He treats solid tumours, blood cancers, and rare cancers. He is not a surgeon or radiation oncologist.

If you have been told you have a lump or cancer, a second opinion can help you understand the diagnosis and treatment options. Dr. Harish Kancharla consults in English, Hindi, and Telugu. In-person consultations are at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad. Online video consultations are available for patients outside Hyderabad and outside India. For international patients, the first consultation is online; treatment then continues in person at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda. Chemotherapy is given as day care or inpatient treatment at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda.

You can send biopsy, scan, and blood reports on WhatsApp at +91 70322 44487 for review before a consultation. Enquiries can be made by phone on +91 70322 44487, by email at contact@indianoncocare.com, or through the enquiry form on the website. To book a second opinion or online consult, contact the clinic.

Can dimpling of skin be a sign of cancer? Yes, dimpling can sometimes be a sign of cancer, especially when it appears over a lump or in breast skin. But many causes are benign. Only a doctor can confirm the cause after examination and tests.

What does puckering skin mean? Puckering skin means the skin looks pulled inward or has a small dent. It can be caused by scarring, infection, fat necrosis, or a lump pulling the skin from below.

I have a lump on my thigh under the skin. Should I worry? A lump on the thigh under the skin may be benign, such as a lipoma or cyst. It should still be checked if it is new, growing, firm, painful, or linked to skin dimpling.