Lipoma

A lipoma is a fibrous capsule made up of fat cells, which usually occurs just under the skin. Although lipomas can grow in just about any part of the body, these slow-growing tumors are generally found in the armpits, on the upper arms, upper thighs, neck, and torso. Though they can occur at any age, lipomas are usually detected at around middle age. One or more of them can grow, and they can persist for several years. Lipomas are generally quite harmless growths, and they are not cancerous.

What are the causes of lipoma?

What exactly causes lipomas is not fully understood yet. They occur sometimes after an injury, although it is not certain whether they are caused due to the trauma of the injury or they just happened to be detected at the site of the injury. It has been observed that lipomas have a tendency of running in families; hence it is suspected that there could be a genetic link to their occurrence. Lipomas are not caused due to being overweight.

What are the characteristics of lipomas?

Lipomas are usually easily identifiable, because when slight pressure is applied on them with the finger, they tend to move readily. A lipoma feels doughy when touched and is generally not tender. Usually, lipomas tend to remain quite small in size, not more than 5 cm in diameter. However, sometimes they do become large, growing up to even 20 cm in diameter. When they grow, they can press on the nerves nearby, which can be painful. Since they grow so slowly, people can have lipomas for years without noticing them.

When should medical advice be sought?

Although lipomas are generally not a serious condition, however, if you do notice a swelling or lump, it is always advisable to get it checked by a doctor.

How is lipoma screened and diagnosed?

Lipomas are usually diagnosed by making a physical examination of the swollen growth. If your doctor feels any misgivings, he/she may conduct other tests, like removal of the tissue or biopsy. Rarely, a swelling that resembles a lipoma may in reality be a type of cancer known as liposarcoma. However, liposarcomas, which are malignant tumors that grow in fatty tissue, usually develop rapidly, are rigid beneath the skin, and are painful. If your doctor thinks it is liposarcoma, he/she will conduct a CT scan or a needle biopsy.

What is the treatment for lipoma?

Generally, lipomas do not require any treatment. Since lipomas are non-cancerous, and do not become cancerous, they need not be removed. There is no treatment known which can affect their development or prevent them from occurring. However, in case the lipoma is in a location that is bothersome, is causing pain, or growing bigger, you may be recommended to have it removed by the doctor. Here are some of the treatments for lipoma:

Liposuction: A large syringe and a needle are used to extract the lipoma. This treatment is usually conducted if the lipoma is in a place where you would not want a scar. The whole tumor is difficult to remove with this method.

Steroid Injections: Although this method of treatment does not get rid of the lipoma completely, it does shrink the tumor. This treatment is usually used on smaller sized lipomas, those that are smaller than 2.5 cm in diameter.

Using Surgery: Surgery is the best method of removing larger sized lipomas. It is not common for lipomas to recur once they are surgically removed.

Usually, lipoma growths can be removed in the outpatient surgical center of a hospital or at the doctor’s clinic. A local anesthetic is injected at the site of the lipoma, then an incision is made, then the tumor is removed, and finally the incision is closed with sutures or stitches. In case the lipoma is located in such a place that it cannot be accessed by just an incision, the procedure may be carried out under general anesthesia in an operating room.