Have you ever felt a lump under your skin somewhere on your body? Is it something that moves around a bit when you touch it, feels like a rubber ball, but doesn't hurt much? Then you may have something that many people have, but which many people are afraid of. We call this a 'lipoma'. Simply put, it's a fatty lump. But don't be afraid when we say 'lump'. Let's talk about this clearly and precisely.
What exactly is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a lump formed by a collection of fat cells that forms under our skin. It is usually seen in a round or oval shape. The most important thing is that these are not cancerous . In medicine, we call these `benign soft tissue tumors`. That means they are a harmless type of lump that does not harm the body.
These tumors grow very slowly. They can be moved easily when touched. Most of the time, they are not painful. Although lipomas can develop anywhere on the body, they are most commonly found on the back, shoulders, neck, arms, and trunk.
Most lipomas do not require any treatment. However, sometimes if a lump is causing discomfort, getting larger, or you want to remove it for cosmetic reasons, your doctor can remove it with a minor operation.
How common are these fatty tumors really?
They're more common than you might think. According to statistics, about one in every 1,000 people may have a lipoma.
These are most often seen in people between the ages of 40 and 60. But that doesn't mean that younger people can't get them. They can occur at any age. Sometimes they are even present from birth. Although they occur without distinction between men and women, they are slightly more common among women.
What are the main symptoms of a lipoma?
Most people with a lipoma do not experience any symptoms. However, if the tumor grows near a nerve and presses on it, or if it grows near a joint, you may experience some discomfort or pain. Let's take a look at the common symptoms of a lipoma.
| Characteristic | Simply put... (Simple Explanation) |
|---|---|
| Does not spread around (Encapsulated) | This tumor does not spread to the surrounding tissues. It is confined to that area. |
| Often painless | Although usually painless, pain or discomfort may occur depending on the location, size, and whether the tumor contains blood vessels. |
| Round or Oval-shaped | These fatty lumps are usually rubbery in texture and symmetrical in shape. |
| Moveable | Because these are located just under the skin, they move easily when pressed with a finger. |
| Size | Usually smaller than 2 inches, but very rarely larger than 6 inches. |
Why do we get lipomas?
Doctors have not yet found the exact cause of lipomas. However, the main reason for this is considered to be genetic influence, which means that if someone in your family has lipomas, you are more likely to develop them too.
In addition, there are several rare medical conditions that can cause multiple lipomas to form in the body.
- Dercum's disease: This is a very rare condition that causes painful lipomas, especially on the arms, legs, and trunk.
- Gardner syndrome: This is another condition in which lipomas can be accompanied by a number of other health problems.
- Hereditary multiple lipomatosis: As the name suggests, this is a condition that is passed down from generation to generation.
- Madelung's disease: This condition is most commonly seen in men who drink heavily. It causes lipomas to form around the neck and shoulders.
How does a doctor confirm that this is a lipoma?
A doctor can usually tell if it's a lipoma by simply examining you (physical examination). The doctor will feel the lump and ask you if it moves or hurts.
The most important thing is to be 100% sure that this tumor is not cancerous.
Therefore, sometimes the doctor may recommend a `biopsy` test. Don't be afraid, this involves taking a very small piece of tissue from the tumor and sending it to a lab to examine the cells.
Sometimes these can be confused with a cyst, a fluid-filled lump. To help differentiate between the two and get a clearer picture of the lump, your doctor may order imaging tests, such as the following:
- Ultrasound scan
- MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan)
- CT scan (Computed Tomography scan)
These scans can show exactly where the tumor is located, how deep it is, whether it has blood vessels, and whether it is pressing on nerves or other tissues.
Are there types of lipomas?
Yes, all lipomas are made up of fat, but there are slight differences depending on the other types of tissue they contain. Let's look at some of the main types.
| Lipoma Type | Special Feature |
|---|---|
| Angiolipoma | These contain both fat and blood vessels. This type can often be painful. |
| Conventional | This is the most common type. It is made up of white fat cells that store energy. |
| Fibrolipoma | These contain fat and fibrous tissue. |
| Hibernoma | These contain brown fat. Brown fat cells help regulate body temperature. |
| Myelolipoma | These contain tissue that produces fat and blood cells. |
What are the treatments for lipomas?
First of all, most lipomas do not require any treatment. If they are not causing you any harm or discomfort, there is no need to worry about them.
However, if a lipoma is causing you pain, discomfort, or you are unhappy with the location of it, a doctor can remove it through surgery. Lipoma removal surgeries are very safe and successful. They are usually done on an outpatient basis. This means that you can go home the same day after the surgery.
As an alternative to surgery, a procedure called `liposuction` may sometimes be recommended. This involves removing fatty tissue from the lump using a fine needle.
When should I see a doctor?
This is a very important question. If you notice a new lump or lump on your body, be sure to see a doctor. It is important to determine whether it is something serious or something as harmless as a lipoma. Because the symptoms of a type of cancer called `liposarcoma` can sometimes be similar to a lipoma.
If you already have a lipoma, notify your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following changes:
- If you suddenly feel pain.
- If it grows rapidly within a few weeks.
- If it feels hard like a rock when you touch it.
- If it doesn't move around as easily as it used to.
If these symptoms are present, the doctor will re-examine it.
Take-Home Message
- Lipomas are a common, non-cancerous fatty tumor that forms under the skin.
- These are usually painless lumps that can be moved around when touched.
- Most lipomas do not require any treatment and do not cause any harm to the body.
- If you develop a new lump on your body or if an existing lipoma becomes rapidly growing, painful, or hard , be sure to seek medical advice.
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