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What is lipoma?

A lipoma is a benign, or non-dangerous, new growth of fatty tissue. They can occur anywhere in the body, and can often be found growing underneath the skin. They grow very slowly and very rarely turn into a tumour that is cancerous call liposarcoma.

It is the most common soft tissue growth of adulthood and is most commonly found in patients aged between 40 and 60 years old, but can also be found in children. It is more common in men, though women are also able to get lipomas. In some instances, there is a familial tendency for growth of lipomas called Dercum sydrome.

There are different names given to lipomas, depending on where it originated from and what cells make up the new growth. They can grow to many different shapes and sizes.

Statistics

Lipomas have been shown to occur in all age groups, but most commonly from the age of 40 onwards. It has been shown to be more common for men to be affected, but many women can still be affected. There are some families where people are genetically more prone to get lipomas, and they usually have more than one lipoma present around their bodies.

Risk factors

Lipomas usually occur in people without any obvious predisposing causes. In some instances, there is a tendency of getting lipomas in the family which are thought to be due to a genetic cause. With some people, if they suffer from a certain syndrome or illness (such as Gardner’s syndrome or Madelung’s disease), it is part of the syndrome that numerous lipomas can occur.

Progression

Lipomas are common and are normally benign – they rarely grow to become cancer. Reason for removal apart from cosmetic reasons or if there is discomfort from pressure. They are slow growing and removal generally stops its growth.

In very rare circumstances, lipomas are cancerous or become cancerous. They are what is known as liposarcomas, a soft tissue tumour. Liposarcomas are the most common sarcomas of adulthood and appear in those in their forties to sixties; they are uncommon in children. They are usually found in the deep tissue and if not completely removed, tend to recur at the same site where it originated.

Symptoms

Lipomas are generally:

• Soft and fluctuant;
• Well defined, shaped like a lobule;
• Feel rubbery;
• May be one or many;
  
• Painless
• Most common on limbs (especially arms) and trunk of the body;
• Can occur at any site.

Lipomas tend to only be a problem if you are aware of its presence and believe it to be cosmetically a problem. Sometimes, they can grow in places that cause pressure on structures underneath the skin or causes the skin to be tethered and can be irritating.

How is it diagnosed?

Lipomas are diagnosed usually by its characteristic shape, location and feel and history of a slow growing, painless lump that is under the skin. There is usually no need for further investigations if it fits the criteria for a lipoma and the doctor will normally recommend removal if you want it. Sometimes, if the doctor is unsure of the diagnosis or if it is an area with other important structures. Ultrasound can be performed. 

Prognosis

Very good outcomes, there is normally no recurrence if the lipoma is completely removed.

Treatment

Surgical treatment

Most can be remove with a small incision under local anaesthetic on the same day.