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Lipoma
Treatment of Lipoma
Lipomas are a common type of benign tumor that we see clinically. Most cases are benign, and malignant transformation is very rare. Lipomas consist of normal, fatty-like tissue and primarily occur on the limbs and trunk. They have clear boundaries, are lobulated in appearance, soft in texture, and may feel like a false cyst. They are painless and grow slowly. Some can grow very large, and deep-seated ones may undergo malignant transformation and should be treated surgically in a timely manner. In terms of treatment for lipomas, medication is ineffective. Small lipomas can be monitored periodically. If a lipoma is large, affects daily life or aesthetics, or is a deep-seated lipoma that might become malignant, surgical treatment is required.
How is lipoma treated?
Lipoma is a common disease in our clinical practice. Most lipoma patients have a benign tumor, which is a tumorous mass of normal fatty tissue, commonly found on the limbs and trunk, with clear boundaries, lobulated, soft in texture, possibly pseudo-cystic, painless, slow-growing, and some may be very large. For deep lipomas that may have the potential for malignancy, timely surgical removal is necessary. For small lipomas, we generally observe them periodically. If the tumor is large and affects normal life or aesthetics, surgical removal can be considered. For deep lipomas, where there is a suspicion of malignant transformation, timely surgery is advisable for treatment.
What should I do if my lipoma hurts?
Lipomas are relatively common in clinical settings and are benign tumors on the body surface, often found on the limbs and trunk. Generally, they don't cause obvious clinical symptoms except for the appearance of a lump under the skin. The lump is usually flat, and the skin surface remains intact, though this is not absolute. Some patients may experience pain in the lipoma, particularly when lipomas appear symmetrically on the limbs, causing localized pain. In such cases, surgical treatment is recommended, which can be performed under local anesthesia to remove the lipoma and alleviate the pain.
Do lipomas need to be treated?
Whether a lipoma needs treatment depends on its location, size, shape, and presence of symptoms. If the lipoma is small and symptom-free, it generally does not require treatment. Lipomas are benign lesions formed by abnormal growth of subcutaneous fat and rarely become cancerous. However, if the lipoma is large, causing compressive symptoms, or noticeably growing fast over a short period, along with local pain, it should be considered for complete excision under local anesthesia. After removal, it is generally necessary to send the specimen for pathological examination, and depending on the situation, decide whether to place a drainage tube at the wound site.
Lipoma CT presentation
Lipomas are relatively common clinically and are one of the more frequent types of superficial tumors, commonly occurring on the limbs and trunk. Generally, a physical examination and ultrasound are sufficient for an accurate diagnosis of a lipoma, and there is no need for the patient to undergo a CT scan. However, if a CT scan is performed, lipomas can present in the following ways: first, a regular or lobulated mass may be found under the skin with sparse blood flow and a regular shape; second, on a CT scan, lipomas appear as low-density lesions, with CT values typically ranging between -70 HU to -90 HU. Diagnosis of a lipoma can be confirmed through these two observations.
Do lipomas grow?
Lipoma is a type of tumor on the surface of the body, which is relatively common in clinical practice and often occurs in the limbs and trunk. After the development of a lipoma, a mass generally appears under the skin; the mass is tough and lobulated or flat, and the surface skin remains intact, which can be used to diagnose a lipoma. Once a lipoma develops, it may grow larger, but the growth rate is generally slow, and there are usually no obvious clinical symptoms. If a patient notices that the lipoma is enlarging, surgical removal can be considered.
"How to eliminate lipomas?"
If you want to eliminate a lipoma, it generally requires surgical removal of the lipoma in its entirety. Lipomas are more likely to occur in subcutaneous fat or within muscle tissue. For small, asymptomatic lipomas, surgery is usually not necessary; however, if the lipoma enlarges, causes local compression symptoms, local pain, or if there is a significant increase in size in a short period, surgical removal can be considered, and most can be removed under local anesthesia. If the lipoma is on the back, due to prolonged compression, the difficulty of the surgery may be slightly increased.
Lipomas belong to which department?
Lipomas are relatively superficial tumors. Generally, lipomas fall under the category of general surgery, and general surgeons can easily diagnose and remove them through surgery. However, there are exceptions. If the lipoma is located deeper and in the chest area, it is recommended for the patient to consult the thoracic department for further diagnosis and treatment. If the lipoma is located in the scapular area and is relatively large and deep, it is recommended for the patient to consult the orthopedic department. Orthopedic specialists are more familiar with the local anatomy, which can lead to better treatment outcomes for the patient.
Can people with lipomas eat eggs?
Patients with lipomas can eat eggs; eating eggs does not affect lipomas. In daily life, it is best to avoid overly greasy food and to participate in sports activities. If overweight, it is necessary to begin weight loss soon to prevent excessive subcutaneous fat accumulation, which can lead to the formation of lipomas. If a lipoma is quite large, it can be surgically removed at a local hospital.
What should not be eaten with lipoma?
Lipomas are considered benign lesions, primarily caused by abnormal proliferation of subcutaneous fat. They form lumps in adipose tissue. If a patient is clearly diagnosed with a lipoma, it is generally recommended to adhere to a light diet, consuming less food that is high in fats or proteins. It is also advised to engage in more physical activity. Through appropriate exercise, it can effectively reduce subcutaneous adipose tissue, which can lead to weight loss. It is not recommended to eat fatty meats, protein-rich foods, seafood, and the like.