Lipoma Surgery

A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor made up of fat tissue. It is one of the most common soft tissue tumors in adults. Here’s a breakdown of key facts:

What is a Lipoma?

Composition: Made of mature fat cells.

Consistency: Soft, doughy, and mobile under the skin.

Growth: Slow-growing.

Location:

Can occur anywhere in the body, but most often found in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, thighs, or abdomen.

Symptoms

• Most lipomas:
• Are painless (but can cause discomfort if pressing on nerves or growing in tight areas).
• Are under 2 inches in diameter, but some can grow larger.
• Are freely movable under the skin.

Causes & Risk Factors

• Often idiopathic (no known cause).
• May have a genetic component — can run in families.
• More common in middle-aged adults (40–60 years old).
• Certain conditions (like familial multiple lipomatosis) can cause multiple lipomas.

Diagnosis

• Usually diagnosed by physical exam.
• May be confirmed with:
• Ultrasound
• MRI or CT scan (if deeper or atypical)
• Biopsy (rarely, to rule out liposarcoma — a rare cancerous tumor)

Treatment

• No treatment needed unless:
• It’s painful
• It interferes with function or movement
• It’s growing or cosmetically bothersome

If removed:

• Surgical excision is most common.
• Liposuction can be an option for some.
• Recurrence is rare after complete removal