The difference between lipoma and liposarcoma

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Lipomas and liposarcomas are both relatively common diseases in clinical practice. Lipoma is a benign tumor, which refers to the nodular lesions formed by subcutaneous fat hyperplasia. The tumor has clear boundaries, a complete capsule, a soft texture, and grows slowly. Clinically, it can be treated by surgical removal, requiring only local excision. Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor of fat, originating from the interlobular fat tissue. The tumor lacks a capsule, has unclear boundaries, a harder texture, and grows rapidly. Clinically, after diagnosing liposarcoma, surgery must be performed. The scope of the surgery is relatively large, requiring the removal of the lesion and the surrounding tissues to achieve a radical cure.

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Written by Ai Bing Quan
General Surgery
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Do lipomas need to be treated?

Lipomas are a type of benign disease. For smaller lipomas, such as those with a diameter of about 1 centimeter, it is not necessary to consider surgical treatment. However, it is important to monitor the size of the lipoma. In cases where the lipoma is larger, for example, exceeding 3 centimeters in diameter, or if there is pain in the lipoma, or if it grows significantly in a short period of time, surgical removal should be considered. The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia, with lidocaine injected into the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Once anesthetized, an incision is made along the skin lines over the surface of the lipoma, followed by strategic separation and complete excision of the lipoma. The excised lipoma should then be sent to the pathology department for pathological examination.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Lipoma surgery cost

Small lipomas are generally treated on an outpatient basis in some top-tier municipal hospitals, including local anesthesia. The cost of anesthesia generally ranges from 200 to 300 yuan. However, this depends on the size and location of the lipoma. If the lipoma is in a special area or is relatively large, the surgery costs may increase. It also depends on whether the lipoma is a liposarcoma. If liposarcoma cannot be ruled out, then further extensive excision during hospitalization is needed after a pathological examination. Thus, the cost of the surgery for removing the tumor will depend on the specific condition.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Can lipomas be massaged?

Lipomas should not be massaged. They form from abnormal hyperplasia in the subcutaneous fat tissue of the patient, presenting as localized nodules or lumps with clear boundaries and usually painless when pressed. Lipomas can be solitary or multiple. If the lipoma is small, close follow-up is sufficient; massaging or local stimulation is generally not recommended. Massaging or stimulating the area can potentially lead to an increase in the size of the lipoma, and it may provoke pain and other complications. In severe cases, it can cause the lipoma to become malignant.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
49sec home-news-image

The difference between lipoma and liposarcoma

Lipomas and liposarcomas are both relatively common diseases in clinical practice. Lipoma is a benign tumor, which refers to the nodular lesions formed by subcutaneous fat hyperplasia. The tumor has clear boundaries, a complete capsule, a soft texture, and grows slowly. Clinically, it can be treated by surgical removal, requiring only local excision. Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor of fat, originating from the interlobular fat tissue. The tumor lacks a capsule, has unclear boundaries, a harder texture, and grows rapidly. Clinically, after diagnosing liposarcoma, surgery must be performed. The scope of the surgery is relatively large, requiring the removal of the lesion and the surrounding tissues to achieve a radical cure.