How is a lipoma treated?

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Lipomas are commonly seen in clinical practice and are a type of superficial tumor that are benign. They frequently occur on the limbs and trunk. Lipomas are located subcutaneously and are composed of fatty tissue. If the lipoma is small and the patient does not exhibit any significant clinical symptoms, conservative observation can be adopted as a treatment method. If the lipoma is relatively large, grows rapidly, or is accompanied by concealed pain, surgical treatment can be considered. Clinically, lipomas can be excised under local anesthesia; medication or massage are both ineffective.

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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.

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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 Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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"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.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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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.

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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.