Description

A lipoma is a non cancerous (benign) soft is lipoma geneticmovable lump that forms due to an overgrowth of fat cells. They most commonly develop in the fatty layer of the skin. You can get a lipoma anywhere in the body where you have fat cells like on the back, trunk, arms, thighs, shoulders, and neck. Rarely lipomas can develop in other parts of the body including the lungs, heart, adrenal glands and bowel. If a lipoma is deeper inside your body you won’t be able to see or feel it, but it might press on other organs or nerves. For example, a lipoma in part of the bowel might cause a blockage and bleeding. If this happens you might also have tummy (abdominal) pain and feel sick. Symptoms of Lipomas: A) Lipomas can occur anywhere in the body. They are just under the skin. B) They soft and doughy to the touch. C) They also move easily with slight finger pressure. D) They are generally small. Lipomas are typically less than 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 CM) in diameter, but they can grow. E) Sometimes painful. Causes of Lipoma The cause of lipomas isn't fully understood. They tend to run in families, so genetic factors likely play a role in their development. Risk factors Several factors may raise your risk of getting a lipoma, including: A) Being between 40 and 60 years old. Although lipomas can occur at any age, they're most common in this age group. B) Genetics. Lipomas tend to run in families. Diagnosing a lipoma To make a diagnosis your doctor will feel and look at your lump. In most cases, your doctor can recognise and diagnose a lipoma easily. Your doctor will also ask questions about the lump. For example, do you have any symptoms, and if it has changed in size. If any lipoma increases in size or becomes painful, you must tell your doctor, as it can be a sign that the lipoma is changing. Rarely, doctors can’t tell for certain whether the lump is a lipoma or not. Lipomas can be confused with malignant (cancerous) tumours, called liposarcomas. Sometimes you might need an ultrasound scan, C T Scan or MRI Scan of the area to get more detailed information regarding the lump. Your doctor may advice for a biopsy so that they can be certain it is a lipoma. What causes lipomas to be painful? Lipoma may cause burning or aching that can be severe, particularly if it is pressing on a nearby nerve. In some people, the pain comes and goes, while in others it is continuous. Movement or pressure on adipose tissue or lipomas can make the pain worse. In some cases, lipomas can impair normal movement. How are lipomas treated? Most lipomas do not need to be removed unless they are painful or need formal diagnosis. Some people also have lipomas removed if they are in an obvious place and are bothered by how they look. The most common way to remove a lipoma is to cut it out surgically or use liposuction. Can lipomas be prevented? Lipomas cannot be prevented. Can lipomas turn cancerous? Lipomas occur slightly more often in men than in women, and although they can appear at any age, they become more common in adults between the ages of 40 and 70. In addition to fat cells, some lipomas may contain blood vessels or other tissues. In rare cases it may become malignant e.g. a liposarcoma. For that reason, it’s important to let your health care provider know about any changes to an existing lipoma, including its size, shape, texture or appearance, and if it begins to cause discomfort or pain. If a malignancy is suspected, a biopsy will be performed. This will reveal if cancer is present. Complications of lipomas Most lipomas are small and do not cause any complications. Lipomas may cause complications if they are large or compress nearby structures and nerves. Probable complications of lipoma surgery- There is a small risk of problems or complications after having a lipoma removed, these include: 1) Wound infection 2) keloid scaring 3) It is normal to have a small thin scar after the wound has healed 4) Seroma 5) Injury to a nerve- this depends on where the lipoma is 5) Haematoma 6) Rarely lipoma may come back When to seek medical attention: a) If a lipoma is causing pain or discomfort. b) If a lipoma is growing rapidly or changing in size. c) If you are concerned about the lipoma, it's always best to consult with a doctor to determine the best course of action. This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult Dr. Brijendra Singh at Brij Laser And Laparoscopy Centre.