Do lipomas grow?

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on January 24, 2025
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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
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What should I do if my lipoma bursts?

Lipoma is a type of tumor on the body surface, commonly found in the limbs and subcutaneous areas. It generally presents as a mass under the skin, which is lobulated or flat in shape, with no swelling or redness on the surface skin. Clinically, once a lipoma is diagnosed, surgical removal can be considered. If the lipoma's capsule breaks during surgery and the lipoma is damaged, there is no need for particular concern. It is only necessary to completely remove the lipoma, as it is composed of fatty tissue, the same as the normal subcutaneous tissue, and does not lead to serious consequences.

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Can lipomas be massaged?

Lipomas are relatively common surface tumors, commonly found on the limbs and trunk. Composed of adipose tissue and located subcutaneously, it is advised against massaging a lipoma. First, massaging a lipoma will not cause it to dissipate. Secondly, prolonged massaging of a lipoma might lead to stimulation and possibly to gradual growth of the tumor. Clinically, lipomas can be treated surgically, which is relatively straightforward to perform under local anesthesia by excising the lipoma, thus curing it.

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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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How to eliminate lipomas?

Lipomas are relatively common superficial tumors, which are benign tumors caused by subcutaneous fat proliferation. If a lipoma does not cause any obvious clinical symptoms and is relatively small, it may not require treatment. Clinically, if removal of the lipoma is desired, the only treatment is surgical removal. Under local anesthesia, the lipoma can be excised and the surgical incision sutured up to complete the procedure. Medication, physiotherapy, massage, etc., cannot eliminate lipomas. Therefore, as mentioned above, surgery is the only method to remove lipomas.

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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.