Have you ever felt something like a small lump under your skin? It's like a rubber ball, you can move it around with your hand, but it doesn't hurt... Many people are a little scared when they see these lumps on their bodies. They think, "Oh, I don't know if this is some serious disease." But don't worry, most of the time these are a common, non-dangerous type of fatty lump called a Lipoma . Let's talk about it all today.
Simply put, what is this Lipoma?
A lipoma is a soft, round or oval lump of fat cells that forms under your skin. It feels like a small rubber ball. If you press it with your finger, you will feel it move easily under the skin. The best part is, these lumps usually don't cause pain.
Although they can develop anywhere on the body, they are most commonly seen on areas such as the back, abdomen, arms, shoulders, and neck.
The important thing is that Lipoma is not cancerous (benign) . They grow very slowly. So most of the time, they don't need to be treated. But if this tumor bothers you, hurts, or makes you feel unsightly, a doctor can remove it with a minor operation.
How common are these lipomas?
They are actually very common. Roughly speaking, about one in 1,000 people may have a lipoma. They usually appear most often between the ages of 40 and 60. However, they can appear at any age, sometimes even at birth. They can occur in anyone, regardless of gender, but they are slightly more common in women.
What are the symptoms of a lipoma?
Most people with a lipoma do not experience any symptoms. However, sometimes if the tumor grows near a nerve or is located near a joint, it can cause some discomfort or pain. Let's take a look at the main symptoms of a lipoma.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Does not spread around (Encapsulated) | Because these tumors have a thin covering around them, they do not spread to the surrounding tissues. |
| Usually painless | However, depending on where the tumor is located, its size, and whether it has blood vessels inside, you may sometimes feel pain or discomfort. |
| Round or oval-shaped | These fatty tumors are usually symmetrical and soft, like a piece of rubber. |
| Moveable | Since these are located just under the skin, they can easily move around when you touch them with your hand. |
| Size | Most of the time, they are smaller than 2 inches. However, very rarely, lipomas larger than 6 inches can be seen. |
Why does this lipoma form?
Doctors still don't know the exact cause of lipomas. However, it has been found that the condition is inherited . This means that if someone in your family has lipomas, you are more likely to develop them too.
In addition, some rare medical conditions can cause multiple lipomas to form on the body.
- Dercum's disease: This is a very rare condition that causes painful lipomas to form on the body, especially on the arms, legs, and abdomen.
- Gardner syndrome: This is part of a condition called ``Familial Adenomatous Polyposis - FAP''. This causes a number of other health problems along with lipomas.
- Hereditary multiple lipomatosis: As the name suggests, this is a hereditary condition that causes multiple lipomas to form throughout the body.
- Madelung's disease: This condition is most common in men who drink heavily. It causes lipomas to form around the neck and shoulders.
How does a doctor know for sure that this is a lipoma?
Usually, when a doctor examines you, they will feel the lump and ask if it hurts, and then diagnose it as a Lipoma. However, sometimes a biopsy can be done to be 100% sure that it is not cancer. This involves taking a small piece of the lump and sending it to a lab for testing.
Sometimes, the doctor may recommend an ultrasound scan , MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) , or CT scan (Computed Tomography) to clearly see what's inside the tumor, how deep it is, whether it has blood vessels inside, and whether it's pressing on nerves.
What are the treatments for lipoma?
First of all, most lipomas do not require any treatment . They can simply be left on the body without any problems.
However, if the lump is bothersome, painful, or unsightly, your doctor can remove it completely with a minor surgery (surgical removal) . These are very safe and simple surgeries. You can usually go home the same day after treatment.
Another option is liposuction , which involves using a long, thin needle-like instrument to suck out the fat inside the lump. You can discuss the best treatment option for you with your doctor.
When should I see a doctor about a lipoma?
If you notice a new lump or bump under your skin, it's best to see a doctor and get it checked out without worrying too much. It's important to make sure it's not something dangerous. It's especially reassuring to know that it's not cancerous, like liposarcoma .
If you already have a lipoma, be sure to see a doctor again if you notice these changes :
- If the tumor suddenly starts to hurt .
- If you feel like you're growing rapidly within a few weeks.
- If it feels hard like a rock instead of soft when touched.
- If you don't move around as easily as before.
If you notice a change like this, definitely seek medical advice.
Take-Home Message
- A lipoma is a benign, non-cancerous fatty tumor that forms under the skin. Don't be unnecessarily alarmed by this.
- These are usually soft lumps that are painless and can be moved around when touched.
- Most lipomas do not require any treatment.
- If the tumor is causing pain, discomfort, or an appearance problem, it can be removed with a minor surgery.
- Most importantly: If you notice a new lump on your body, or if you notice a change in an existing lump, such as rapid growth, pain, or hardness, see your doctor immediately.
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