Is lipoma serious?

Written by Ma Xian Shi
General Surgery
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Lipoma is a common disease in clinical practice, and it is generally not very serious, so there is no need for excessive worry. A lipoma is a tumor-like mass of normal tissue, commonly found on the trunk and limbs of the body. It has a clear boundary and is lobulated, soft, and may feel like a false cyst, painless, and grows slowly. Some can be quite large. Deep lipomas that might turn malignant should be removed promptly. Generally speaking, lipomas only require surgical treatment if there is suspicion of malignancy, if the tumor is large enough to affect daily life or aesthetics, or if malignancy is suspected.

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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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Can lipomas disappear?

Lipomas generally do not disappear on their own, and currently the only effective treatment for subcutaneous lipomas is surgical removal. However, lipomas are typically managed with an observational approach in clinical settings. Regular ultrasound checks can be scheduled to assess the growth rate of the lipoma and monitor any clinical symptoms it may cause. Observation is mainly employed because lipomas rarely turn malignant and because lipomas, especially those on the body's surface, often appear as multiple lesions. Complete removal can lead to surgical scars, affecting the appearance. Most lipomas grow slowly, often remaining asymptomatic under one centimeter, requiring no special treatment. During follow-up, if the growth rate is unusually rapid, malignancy cannot be ruled out, and surgical removal should be considered.

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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.

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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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Do lipomas require hospitalization?

Lipomas belong to superficial tumors and are categorized as benign. They are caused by the proliferation of subcutaneous adipose tissue. If treatment is desired, surgery is an option. Medication or other treatments are ineffective. If the lipoma is small, it can be surgically removed in an outpatient setting, typically under local anesthesia. For a larger lipoma, it is recommended that the patient be hospitalized for surgery, which involves intravenous anesthesia combined with local anesthesia to remove the lipoma.