Do lipomas hurt?

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on November 06, 2024
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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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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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Lipoma outpatient or hospitalization

Lipomas are relatively superficial and clinically classified as surface tumors, typically located beneath the skin. Clinically, lipoma surgeries can generally be conducted in an outpatient setting, performed under local anesthesia. However, this is not absolute. Some lipomas are larger, and performing the surgery under local anesthesia can be very painful for the patient, complicating the complete removal of the lipoma and affecting surgical operations. In such cases, hospitalization and surgery under intravenous anesthesia are generally recommended, as this allows for better patient cooperation and the thorough removal of the lipoma.

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Written by Zhang Peng
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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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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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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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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Symptoms of Lipoma

Lipomas are considered superficial tumors, often caused by proliferation of subcutaneous fat. When lipomas occur, patients may feel localized pain, but most patients do not have significant pain symptoms. Instead, a mass appears under the skin, which typically presents as lobulated, can be moved, and has a smooth surface. The consistency is either relatively firm or soft. These are typical clinical manifestations of lipomas. Clinically, an ultrasound examination is needed to assist in the diagnosis, and surgical removal is recommended after diagnosis.