Disease Information

What is Lipoma?

A lipoma is a round or oval-shaped lump of tissue that grows just beneath the skin. It’s made of fat, moves easily when you touch it and doesn’t usually cause pain. Lipomas can appear anywhere on the body, but they’re most common on the back, trunk (torso), arms, shoulders and neck.

Lipomas are benign soft tissue tumors. They grow slowly and are not cancerous. Most lipomas don’t need treatment. If a lipoma is bothering you, your healthcare provider can remove it with an outpatient procedure.

Symptoms of Lipoma

Lipomas aren’t usually painful, but they can be uncomfortable if they press against a nerve or develop near a joint. Many people who have a lipoma don’t notice any symptoms. Lipomas are usually:

• Encapsulated: They don’t spread to the tissues surrounding them.
• Painless: However, some lipomas cause pain and discomfort depending on their location, size and if blood vessels are present.
• Round or oval-shaped: The fatty lumps of rubbery tissue are usually symmetrical.
• Moveable: They sit just beneath the skin’s surface and move when you touch them.
• Smaller than 2 inches in diameter: In a few cases, lipomas can be larger than 6 inches wide.

Causes of Lipoma

Healthcare providers aren’t sure what causes lipomas to grow. They are inherited (passed down through families). You’re more likely to develop a lipoma if someone in your family has one.

Some conditions cause multiple lipomas to form on the body. Lipoma-causing conditions include:

• Dercum’s disease: This rare disorder causes painful lipomas to grow, most often on the arms, legs and trunk. It’s also called adiposis dolorosa or Anders’ syndrome.
• Gardner syndrome: A form of a disorder called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Gardner syndrome causes lipomas and a range of health problems.
• Hereditary multiple lipomatosis: Also called familial multiple lipomatosis, this disorder is inherited (passed down through families).
• Madelung’s disease: This condition occurs most often in men who drink alcohol excessively. Also called multiple symmetric lipomatosis, Madelung’s disease causes lipomas to grow around the neck and shoulders.

What other Conditions Look like Lipomas?

There are other conditions that share similar symptoms with lipomas. Treatment options differ based on the condition, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis. Here are some conditions that may mimic lipomas.

Cysts

There are different types of cysts that can look like lipomas. These include Sebaceous Cysts and epidermal inclusion cysts. Cysts are fluid-filled and may have a tiny opening in the center of the lump.

Cysts don’t need to be treated unless they become uncomfortable, infected, or cause cosmetic concerns. Treatments include:

• Drainage
• Surgical removal
• Steroid injections
• Antibiotics

Liposarcoma

Liposarcoma is a rare type of cancer that can look like a lipoma. It doesn’t usually spread to other parts of the body. But it can grow to a large size and press on the tissues next to it.

Liposarcoma usually affects the limbs, but it can happen in other places. Its symptoms depend on the size, location, and effect on normal body function. Imaging studies or a biopsy can be helpful in making the diagnosis.

Surgical removal is the only treatment, but it may grow back.

How are Lipomas Diagnosed?

Providers usually diagnose a lipoma during a physical examination. Your provider will touch the lipoma and ask if it’s painful or tender. You may need a biopsy to confirm that the lipoma isn’t cancer. During this procedure, your provider removes a sample of the lipoma and sends it to a lab for testing.

Oftentimes, these may be mistaken for a cyst. To see a clear picture of this lump, your provider may order an imaging test such as an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or computed tomography (CT) scan. These imaging studies help your provider determine if it is a lipoma versus a cyst. It can also help identify the lipoma’s location and how deep it is if it has blood vessels and whether it’s pressing against nerves or other tissues.

What is the Outlook for People with Lipomas?

Many people live with lipomas, and they may not even notice them. Most lipomas don’t need treatment, but providers can remove them if necessary. Lipomas rarely grow back after lipoma treatment, but another one may grow in a different spot on your body.

Can I Prevent Lipomas?

Lipomas (and many of the conditions that cause lipomas) are inherited. Since they’re passed down through families, it isn’t possible to prevent them. You can lower your risk of developing Madelung’s disease (a condition that causes lipomas to grow) by limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.

What is the Treatment for Lipomas?

Most lipomas don’t need treatment. If a lipoma is bothering you, your provider can remove it surgically. Lipoma removal procedures are safe and effective, and you can usually go home the same day.

As an alternative to lipoma surgery, your provider may recommend liposuction to remove the lipoma. Your provider uses a long, thin needle to remove fatty tissue from the growth.

What Happens if a Lipoma is Left Untreated?

It’s OK to leave a simple lipoma under the skin untreated. It may become bigger over time, but even large lipomas don’t usually cause symptoms. If you’re worried about the appearance or the lipoma is interfering with your normal activities, you should talk to your provider. They can help determine the best treatment plan for you.

Reference:

https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/dermatology/lipoma

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15008-lipomas