Symptoms of lipoma

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on April 16, 2025
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Lipomas are common in clinical settings and often occur on the limbs and trunk. Lipomas are benign tumors, and their clinical manifestations are primarily subcutaneous, presenting as a flat, irregular, or lobulated mass. The surface of these masses does not show redness or rupture, and they can generally be moved. Lipomas have a firm or soft texture. These are the most typical clinical manifestations of lipomas. Some patients may experience localized discomfort, and surgery can be performed to remove the lipoma after it has developed.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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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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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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What is lipoma surgery?

The necessity of surgery for lipomas depends on their location. Lipomas are commonly found on the limbs. Whether surgery is needed depends on the size, location, and impact of the lipoma on the body. Surgery is generally recommended for lipomas that are particularly large or symptomatic. The surgical procedure involves excision followed by a pathological examination, as there is still a possibility that some lipomas could be liposarcomas, especially when located on the limbs, where such cases are more common. Therefore, for lipomas with significant symptoms and prominent manifestation, surgical removal is usually advised.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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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 Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Do lipomas need to be treated?

Whether a lipoma needs treatment depends on its location, size, shape, and presence of symptoms. If the lipoma is small and symptom-free, it generally does not require treatment. Lipomas are benign lesions formed by abnormal growth of subcutaneous fat and rarely become cancerous. However, if the lipoma is large, causing compressive symptoms, or noticeably growing fast over a short period, along with local pain, it should be considered for complete excision under local anesthesia. After removal, it is generally necessary to send the specimen for pathological examination, and depending on the situation, decide whether to place a drainage tube at the wound site.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Lipomas belong to which department?

Lipomas are relatively superficial tumors. Generally, lipomas fall under the category of general surgery, and general surgeons can easily diagnose and remove them through surgery. However, there are exceptions. If the lipoma is located deeper and in the chest area, it is recommended for the patient to consult the thoracic department for further diagnosis and treatment. If the lipoma is located in the scapular area and is relatively large and deep, it is recommended for the patient to consult the orthopedic department. Orthopedic specialists are more familiar with the local anatomy, which can lead to better treatment outcomes for the patient.