Lipoma
(Fatty Tumor)
Definition
A lipoma is a harmless lump of fat. There are several types, mainly classified by where they appear. The most common location is just beneath the skin, where they are easily felt. But, lipomas can occur anywhere.
Most tissue in the body can grow beyond its normal limits and form a lump or tumor. Tumors come in two forms:
- Benign—stop growing after they reach a certain size (eg, moles , polyps, lipomas); some can turn into cancer, but lipomas do not
- Malignant—cancer, rarely stops growing
Benign Tumor
Risk Factors
These factors increase your chance of developing lipomas. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
- Family history—A tendency to grow lipomas seems to run in families.
- Lipomatosis—This is a hereditary condition that produces many lipomas all over the body.
- Adiposis dolorosa—This is a rare disease that produces many painful lipomas.
- Obesity
Symptoms
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to lipomas. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you notice a soft lump under your skin. The lump may be:
- The size of a pea to a grapefruit
- Painless, but tender to touch
- Big enough or located in place that causes pain (eg, over a nerve)—This is rare.
- Painful and red if frequently irritated
- Frequently tender or painful (certain type of lipoma called angiolipoma)
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The diagnosis is usually based on the smoothness, softness, and ease of movement under the skin. If there is doubt, it will be biopsied or imaged.
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. You may want to leave the lump alone. Although if it is growing rapidly, the lump should be biopsied. Treatment options include:
Surgical Excision
In most cases, this can be done in your doctor's office or as outpatient surgery. This is minor surgery unles the lipoma is deep inside the body.
Liposuction
Liposuction is commonly used to remove large amounts of fat from under the skin. But, the procedure can also be done to remove single fatty tumors.
RESOURCES:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/
Family Doctor.org
http://familydoctor.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
http://www.plasticsurgery.ca/
Dermatologists.ca
http://www.dermatologists.ca/
References:
Lipoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated July 2008. Accessed July 23, 2008.
Lipoma. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/jkl/lipoma.htm . Accessed July 23, 2008.
Lipoma–arm. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/1209.htm . Updated March 2006. Accessed July 23, 2008.
Lipoplasty. American Society of Plastic Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/procedures/Lipoplasty.cfm . Published 2008. Accessed July 22, 2008.
Mccann J, Schilling A. Lipomas. The Merck Manual of Medical Information . 2nd ed. Handledmed Inc; 2005.
Salam GA. Lipoma excision. Am Fam Physician . 2002;65:901-904.
Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University website. Available at: http://www.library.vcu.edu/cfapps/tml/oralpathology/browse_oral.cfm . Accessed July 8, 2005.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Ross Zeltser, MD, FAAD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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