What department should I go to for a lipoma?

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Lipoma is a disease within the range of superficial tumors. If a patient suspects a lipoma, they should visit the corresponding medical department for treatment, which is primarily determined by the location of the lipoma. If the patient has a lipoma on their limbs, they can visit the orthopedics department for diagnosis and treatment; if the lipoma is located in the abdominal area, the patient can visit general surgery; if the lipoma is located in the chest area, the patient can visit the thoracic surgery department for treatment. Lipomas often require surgical removal, performed by doctors from the aforementioned departments, allowing the patient to recover quickly.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Will the removal of a lipoma leave a scar?

The removal of a lipoma generally does not significantly affect wound recovery, as the incision for a lipoma is a clean cut with no infection or contamination. However, some patients may develop significant scarring not due to infection but due to their scar-prone nature. Over time, the scarring from such cuts does not decrease in these patients, and corrective cosmetic surgery might be necessary to address the prominent scars. Therefore, it is important to consult with patients before lipoma surgery to determine if they are prone to scarring. If not, normal lipoma removal does not usually leave noticeable scars.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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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.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Do lipomas hurt?

Lipomas are very common in clinical practice, often found on the limbs and trunk. They are relatively superficial tumors located under the skin, composed of fatty tissue. Most patients do not exhibit obvious clinical symptoms and only discover a mass under the skin. The mass typically appears lobulated or flat, is fairly firm, and does not present any redness on the surface. It can be moved, which is a characteristic manifestation of lipomas. However, a very small number of patients may experience pain in the lipoma, at which point surgery can be considered to alleviate the pain.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Symptoms of lipoma malignancy

Lipomas are considered benign lesions, but some lipomas may undergo malignant transformation into liposarcomas. If a lipoma becomes malignant, its appearance may change, such as an increase in size, indistinct borders, hardening of the lipoma, and it may even cause pain in the area of the lipoma, with the possibility of local thrombosis and other conditions. It is necessary to visit a hospital promptly for examination and treatment. When necessary, the lipoma should be completely excised and sent for pathological examination to facilitate further treatment. If it is confirmed to be malignant, a wider excision may be needed, and, if necessary, the surrounding lymph nodes may need to be cleared.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Are lipomas contagious?

Lipomas are surface tumors caused by the proliferation of subcutaneous tissues. They are benign tumors, not bacterial infections or contagious diseases. Therefore, lipomas are not contagious. Patients with lipomas can normally interact with other people without causing the spread of lipomas among the population, which is nothing to worry about. After the occurrence of a lipoma, it can be surgically removed. Generally, a lipoma can be completely excised under local anesthesia, and after the wound is sutured, the lipoma is cured.