A condition in which fatty tissue grows into a lump under the skin is called a lipoma. Usually, these lumps move easily when you touch them and may feel rubbery (not hard). Most of the time, lipomas do not cause any health problems and do not need treatment. However, if one of them is bothering you, doctors may remove it.
In other words, lipomas are round or oval-shaped lumps of tissue that grow under the skin. While these lipomas can appear anywhere on the body, the most common sites are the trunk, arms, shoulders, and neck. Moreover, these fatty growths are a type of benign (noncancerous) soft tissue tumor.
Generally, lipomas are common and occur in 1 of every 1,000 people. Usually, they appear between the ages of 40 and 60, but may also happen at any age. In rare cases, lipomas are present at birth (congenital).
Types of Lipoma
Most lipomas are made up of fat and may also contain blood vessels and other tissues. Physicians have divided this condition into several types. These include:
- Angiolipoma – This type of fatty growth has fat and blood vessels. Moreover, this type of lipoma is usually painful.
- Conventional – This is one of the most common forms of lipoma, and it contains white fat cells that store energy.
- Fibrolipoma – This type of lipoma is made up of fibrous tissue and fat.
- Hibernoma – In such cases, the lipoma contains brown fat (most of them contain white fat cells). This type of fat produces heat and often helps regulate body temperature.
- Myelolipoma – This form of lipoma contains fat and tissues that produce blood cells.
- Spindle cell – This is a type of fat cell that is often longer than it is wide.
- Pleomorphic – This type of lipoma varies in size and shape because it contains different forms of fat cells.
What Are The Symptoms of Lipomas?
Most people who develop lipomas do not experience pain, but they can be uncomfortable, especially if they press against a nerve or develop near a joint. Usually, people do not even know they have a lipoma because it does not cause any symptoms. Commonly, lipomas are:
- Encapsulated – It means this fatty growth does not spread to nearby tissues.
- Painless – Most lipomas do not cause pain, but can be uncomfortable, particularly if they grow near blood vessels, nerves, or joints.
- Oval or round-shaped – Most lipomas are symmetrical.
- Moveable – Usually, lipomas are localized beneath the skin’s surface, and they move when you touch them.
- Smaller than 2 inches in diameter – In rare cases, a lipoma can grow larger than 6 inches wide.
If you have a lipoma and it feels uncomfortable, do not hesitate to visit a doctor. While lipomas can develop anywhere on the body (rarely, on the muscles, internal organs, or brain), usually, people develop them on the following parts of the body. These include:
- Trunk (chest and torso)
- Shoulders
- Neck
- Back
- Arms
- Legs
- Forehead
Causes
Experts do not fully understand what exactly causes lipomas, but in some cases, they are congenital (present at birth). The risk of developing a lipoma increases if you have a close relative (including siblings or parents) with this condition. However, there are some conditions that may cause multiple lipomas to develop on the body. Examples include:
- Dercum’s disease – This is a rare health conditions that often cause painful lipomas to grow. They often appear on the arms, legs, and trunk. Sometimes, this condition is called adiposis dolorosa or Anders’ syndrome.
- Gardner syndrome – This condition is a type of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and it may cause a range of health problems along with lipomas.
- Hereditary multiple lipomatosis – Sometimes, it is called familial multiple lipomatosis. This is an inherited disorder that passes down through families.
- Madelung’s disease – Usually, males who drink excessive amounts of alcohol develop this condition. In some cases, it is called multiple symmetric lipomatosis, and it causes fatty growths to appear around the neck and shoulders.
What Are The Potential Complications of a Lipoma?
While most lipomas do not cause any health problems, some of them may cause the following complications. Check some examples below:
- Nerve and tissue compression
- Psychological impact
- Gastrointestinal problems – In rare cases, when a lipoma grows inside the digestive tract may cause obstructions, bleeding, or intussusception.
- Cardiac problems
- Infections
- Nerve damage
- Scarring
This article does not contain a full list of complications. However, you can consult with your doctor about ways to manage or reduce the risk of developing them.
How to Prevent Lipomas?
Most types of lipoma and conditions that cause them are inherited. It means they are passed down through families and cannot be prevented. However, you can reduce the risk of Madelung’s disease by limiting or avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Diagnosis
Most of the time, lipomas are diagnosed during a physical examination. However, doctors may also perform a biopsy to make sure the lipoma is not cancer. During this test, they will take a sample of tissue from a lipoma for testing. Furthermore, a lipoma can be mistaken for a cyst. In such cases, doctors often perform imaging tests. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, or ultrasounds.
Treatment
While most lipomas do not need treatment, doctors may recommend surgery when it causes pain or discomfort. In general, all procedures used to remove a lipoma are safe and effective, and people often go home the same day. When surgery is not an option, physicians may recommend liposuction to remove it. This procedure involves a long and thin needle that removes fatty tissue from the growth. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a lipoma turn into cancer?
No. A lipoma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor made of fat cells and does not usually become cancer. However, if a lump grows rapidly, becomes painful, feels hard, or is fixed to surrounding tissues, it should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions, such as liposarcoma.
How can I tell the difference between a lipoma and a cyst?
Lipomas are typically soft, rubbery, and movable under the skin, while cysts are often firmer and may have a visible opening (punctum) on the skin. Because they can appear similar, a doctor may recommend imaging or a biopsy if the diagnosis is uncertain.
Should every lipoma be removed?
No. Most lipomas do not require treatment if they are small, painless, and not causing cosmetic concerns. Removal is generally recommended if the lipoma becomes painful, grows quickly, restricts movement, or interferes with daily activities.
Can lipomas come back after surgery?
Lipomas rarely return after complete surgical removal. However, some people, especially those with inherited conditions such as familial multiple lipomatosis, may develop new lipomas in other parts of the body over time.
Are lipomas painful?
Most lipomas are painless. However, they can become painful if they press on nearby nerves, contain many blood vessels (as in angiolipomas), or develop in areas that experience frequent pressure or movement.
Can children develop lipomas?
Yes. Although lipomas are most common in adults between 40 and 60 years of age, they can occur in children and, in rare cases, may even be present at birth (congenital).
Is it safe to squeeze or try to remove a lipoma at home?
No. You should never attempt to squeeze, puncture, or remove a lipoma yourself. Home removal can lead to infection, bleeding, scarring, and incomplete removal. If a lipoma is bothersome, consult a healthcare professional about appropriate treatment options.
Can lifestyle changes or weight loss make a lipoma disappear?
No. Losing weight may reduce overall body fat, but it does not usually shrink or eliminate a lipoma. These fatty tumors generally remain the same unless they are surgically removed or treated with another medical procedure.
When should I see a doctor about a lump under my skin?
You should seek medical help if a lump grows rapidly, becomes painful, feels firm or immovable, causes numbness or weakness, changes in appearance, or interferes with normal movement. A healthcare provider can determine whether the lump is a lipoma or another condition requiring treatment.
Can a person have more than one lipoma?
Yes. Some people develop multiple lipomas, particularly if they have an inherited condition such as familial multiple lipomatosis. Having several lipomas does not necessarily indicate cancer, but they should still be evaluated by a healthcare provider to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Do not hesitate to visit or contact a doctor if you have any other questions.
