Do lipomas need surgery?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Lipomas do not necessarily require surgical treatment. They can occur in various parts of the body and are usually characterized by good mobility, a complete capsule, no tenderness, a firm texture, and mostly clear boundaries. They often present no clinical symptoms and are found incidentally. Diagnosis can be confirmed through ultrasonography. In most cases, patients only need follow-up observation. However, for lipomas in special locations, if they affect appearance or grow rapidly causing symptoms, surgical treatment may be considered. After a complete excision, pathological examination is necessary because a very small number of cases may turn out to be liposarcomas, which might require further treatment.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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What department should I go to for a lipoma?

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 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 Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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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.

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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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General Surgery
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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.