Lipomas - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

A lipoma is a non-cancerous tumour that is made up of fat cells. It slowly grows under the skin in the subcutaneous tissue. A person may have a single lipoma or may have many lipomas. They are the most common benign mesenchymal tumor. Lipomas are found in the subcutaneous tissues and, less commonly, in internal organs. They usually present with little difficulty in diagnosis or morbidity. Lipomas typically develop as discrete rubbery masses in the subcutaneous tissues of the trunk and proximal extremity. They usually are a few centimeters in size and can be removed by surgical excision or liposuction. Lipoma is commonly found in adults from 40 to 60 years of age but can also be found in children. 1/1000 of the general population has a lipoma. Lipomas are found most often on the torso, neck, upper thighs, upper arms, and armpits, but can occur almost anywhere in the body. One or more lipomas may be present at the same time. Lipomas are the most common noncancerous soft tissue growth. Types of lipomas include the superficial subcutaneous lipoma, the intramuscular lipoma, the spindle cell lipoma, the angiolipoma, the benign lipoblastoma, and the lipomas of tendon sheaths, nerves, synovium, periosteum, and the lumbosacral area.

Lipoma is a common soft-tissue tumor found under the skin but also can appear in deeper tissues and even in various body organs, such as the heart, brain, and lung. Lipomas range in firmness, some feeling rather hard. The skin over the lipoma has a normal appearance. Lipomas rarely grow more than 2 or 3 inches across. They can develop anywhere on the body but are particularly common on the forearms, torso, and back of the neck. Some people have only one, whereas others develop many lipomas. Lipomas rarely cause problems, although they may occasionally be painful if they grow against a nerve .Usually, a doctor can easily recognize lipomas, and no tests are required for diagnosis. Lipomas are not a form of cancer, and they rarely become cancerous. If a lipoma begins to change in any way, a doctor may perform a biopsy. Treatment usually is not required, but bothersome lipomas may be removed by surgery or by liposuction.

Causes of Lipomas

The cause of lipomas is unknown. Sometimes lipomas are detected after an injury. But it's uncertain whether they're caused by the trauma or whether their detection was just incidental. Lipomas also tend to run in families, so genetic factors likely play a role in their development.

Surgery involving the urethra
Lipomas also tend to run in families, so genetic factors likely play a role in their development
It is possible there may be genetic involvement as many patients with lipomas come from a family with a history of these tumours.
Side effect of certain medications, including some psychiatric drugs and medications used to treat high blood pressure and prostate enlargement

Symptoms of Lipomas

Signs and symptoms of Lipomas may include :

Lump under the skin.
Arm lump.
Skin lump.
Soft painless lump.

Treatment of Lipomas

Medical therapy includes endoscopic excision of tumors in the upper gastrointestinal tract (ie, esophagus, stomach, duodenum) or the colon.
Treatment for lipomas may not be required, however in most cases they can be surgically removed if they are very large, painful, or cosmetically unattractive.
This treatment shrinks the lipoma but usually doesn't completely eliminate the tumor. Steroid injections are typically used with smaller tumors those less than 2.5 centimeters in diameter .
Larger lipomas are best removed by surgically cutting them out. Recurrences after removal are uncommon.

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