Understanding Lipomas: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Understanding Lipomas

A lipoma is a benign tumor composed of fat tissue. They form lumps under the skin, usually on the neck, shoulders, abdomen, back, and thighs. Lipomas are typically small, movable, soft to the touch, and painless.

What Causes Lipomas?

Doctors don't know exactly what triggers lipoma growth. They often run in families, so genetics likely play a role. Lipomas also tend to occur in people between ages 40 and 60. Other potential lipoma causes include:

• Injury or trauma to the area
• Dysfunction of fat cells and tissue
• Obesity

Lipoma Symptoms

The most common lipoma symptoms are:

• A soft, doughy lump under the skin
• A lump that moves easily with slight finger pressure
• A smooth lump that doesn't cause pain
• Slow growing lumps usually less than 2 inches in diameter
• Lumps that grow gradually over months or years

Getting a Lipoma Diagnosis

See your doctor promptly if you notice a new lump under your skin. Although most lipomas are harmless, your doctor needs to confirm that the growth is not cancerous. Rare lipoma-like growths such as liposarcoma can be dangerous.

Physical Exam

During a physical exam, your doctor will check basic lipoma symptoms, including:

• Size, shape, and texture
• Location on the body
• Whether the lump moves easily when prodded
• Changes over time
• Signs of pain or infection

Imaging Tests

If the doctor cannot confirm a lipoma diagnosis from a physical exam alone, they may order imaging tests such as:

• Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to create images of soft tissues.
• CT scan: Combines X-rays taken from different angles to make cross-sectional images.
• MRI: Uses radio waves and magnets to generate detailed soft tissue images.

Biopsy

In rare cases, a biopsy may be done to remove a small sample of the lipoma for laboratory testing. This confirms whether fat tissue or another substance makes up the lump.

Treating and Removing Lipomas

Most lipomas don't need treatment. However, treatment may be necessary if the lipoma:

• Becomes painful or inflamed
• Interferes with movement
• Looks unsightly or bleeds easily
• Keeps growing larger

Medication

Medications are not very effective at shrinking lipomas. Corticosteroid injections can sometimes help reduce inflammation and pain.

Surgery to Remove Lipomas

Surgical removal is the main lipoma treatment option. The two most common methods are:

• Surgical excision: Cutting out the lipoma through an incision.
• Liposuction: Inserting a needle through a small cut to suck out the fat.

Both methods are usually done under local anesthesia. Remove recurrent or multiple growths whenever they start causing problems.

Alternative Lipoma Treatments

Alternative approaches like homeopathic remedies, herbs, or essential oils may help relieve discomfort associated with lipomas. But these treatments don't get rid of lipomas.

Preventing Lipomas

Research has not confirmed ways to prevent lipomas from developing. Since injury and genetics may play a role, options like wearing protective padding make sense but are not guaranteed to work.

When to See Your Doctor

Consult your doctor if you notice any abnormal lumps or skin changes. Look for lipoma signs like:

• A soft, movable lump under your skin.
• A lump that grows slowly larger over time.
• New swelling, bleeding, bruising, or pain.

Schedule regular skin checks during routine physical exams, especially if you are prone to developing lipomas.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.