What is Lipoma? Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

A lipoma is a soft, fatty lump that grows under your skin. These benign (non-cancerous) growths are made up of fat cells and feel like a squishy, movable bump when you touch them.

Lipomas are incredibly common and affect millions of people worldwide. They typically grow slowly over months or years and rarely cause serious problems. Most people discover them by accident while showering or getting dressed.

What are the symptoms of lipoma?

The main sign of a lipoma is a soft, round lump under your skin that moves when you press it. These lumps usually feel doughy or rubbery to the touch and can range from the size of a pea to several inches across.

Here are the key characteristics you might notice:

• Soft, squishy texture that feels different from surrounding tissue
• Movable when you push on it gently
• Usually painless, though some may cause mild discomfort
• Slow-growing over months or years
• Most commonly found on arms, shoulders, back, or thighs
• Skin color remains normal over the lump

Most lipomas don't hurt at all. However, if a lipoma presses against a nerve or grows in a tight space, you might feel some tenderness or aching in that area.

What are the types of lipoma?

Most lipomas are simple, everyday fat lumps, but doctors recognize several different types based on their location and characteristics. Understanding these variations can help you know what to expect.

The most common types include:

• Conventional lipomas: The standard type made of mature fat cells
• Fibrolipomas: Contains both fat and fibrous tissue, feeling slightly firmer
• Angiolipomas: Contains blood vessels and may be more tender
• Spindle cell lipomas: Contains spindle-shaped cells, more common in older men
• Pleomorphic lipomas: Contains various cell shapes, typically found on the neck or back

Some rare types occur in deeper tissues. Intramuscular lipomas grow within muscle tissue and may feel less movable. Deep-seated lipomas can develop near organs or in the chest cavity, though these are uncommon.

The vast majority of lipomas you'll encounter are the conventional type. Your doctor can usually tell which type you have through examination and imaging if needed.

What causes lipoma?

The exact cause of lipomas isn't fully understood, but they develop when fat cells grow and cluster together under your skin. Think of it as your body creating a small pocket of extra fat tissue in one spot.

Several factors may contribute to lipoma development:

• Genetics: They often run in families, suggesting a hereditary component
• Age: Most develop between ages 40-60, though they can appear at any age
• Gender: Men and women develop them equally
• Previous injury: Some lipomas may form after trauma to an area
• Certain medical conditions: Like Gardner syndrome or Madelung disease

In rare cases, multiple lipomas may develop due to genetic conditions. Familial multiple lipomatosis causes numerous lipomas to appear across the body. Dercum disease, though very uncommon, causes painful lipomas along with other symptoms.

For most people, lipomas appear without any clear trigger. They're simply a benign quirk of how your body stores and organizes fat tissue.

When to see a doctor for lipoma?

You should see a doctor if you notice any new lump under your skin, even if it feels soft and movable. While most lumps turn out to be harmless lipomas, it's important to get a proper diagnosis to rule out other conditions.

Schedule an appointment if you experience:

• Any new lump or bump under your skin
• A lipoma that suddenly grows larger
• Pain, tenderness, or discomfort in the area
• Changes in the lump's texture or appearance
• A lump that feels hard or doesn't move when pressed
• Skin changes over the lump, like redness or warmth

Seek immediate medical attention if a lump grows rapidly over days or weeks, becomes very painful, or if you develop fever along with the lump. These signs could indicate something more serious that needs prompt evaluation.

Remember, your doctor has seen countless lipomas and can quickly determine if what you're feeling is typical. There's no need to worry about "bothering" them with your concerns.

What are the risk factors for lipoma?

Several factors may increase your likelihood of developing lipomas, though many people with these risk factors never develop them. Understanding these factors can help you know what to watch for.

Common risk factors include:

• Family history: Having relatives with lipomas significantly increases your risk
• Age: Most common in middle-aged adults (40-60 years old)
• Previous lipomas: Having one increases chances of developing others
• Certain genetic conditions: Like Gardner syndrome or Cowden syndrome
• Gender: Slightly more common in men for some types

Some rare genetic conditions dramatically increase lipoma risk. Multiple familial lipomatosis causes numerous lipomas to develop across the body. Adiposis dolorosa (Dercum disease) leads to painful lipomas, though this condition is extremely uncommon.

Interestingly, your overall weight doesn't seem to affect lipoma development. Thin and heavy people develop them at similar rates, suggesting they're not simply related to having more body fat.

What are the possible complications with lipoma?

Lipomas are generally harmless and rarely cause serious complications. Most people live with them without any problems, and complications are quite uncommon.

Potential issues that might arise include:

• Nerve compression: Large lipomas may press on nearby nerves, causing numbness or tingling
• Restricted movement: Lipomas near joints might limit range of motion
• Cosmetic concerns: Visible lumps may affect your confidence or comfort
• Infection: Rare, but possible if the skin over a lipoma is injured
• Malignant transformation: Extremely rare conversion to liposarcoma (cancerous)

The transformation of a lipoma into cancer (liposarcoma) is extraordinarily rare, happening in less than 1% of cases. However, if your lipoma suddenly grows rapidly, becomes hard, or causes significant pain, these changes warrant medical evaluation.

Most complications are minor and easily managed. Even large lipomas can often be removed with simple procedures if they cause problems or discomfort.

How can lipoma be prevented?

Unfortunately, there's no proven way to prevent lipomas from developing. Since they're largely influenced by genetics and unknown factors, prevention strategies aren't well-established.

However, maintaining overall health may help:

• Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
• Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight
• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
• Managing stress through healthy coping strategies
• Getting regular check-ups with your healthcare provider

Some people wonder if losing weight prevents lipomas, but research doesn't support this connection. Lipomas can develop in people of all body types and weights.

The best approach is focusing on overall wellness and being aware of any new lumps or changes in your body. Early detection and proper evaluation remain your most valuable tools.

How is lipoma diagnosed?

Diagnosing a lipoma typically starts with a physical examination where your doctor feels the lump and asks about its history. Most lipomas have such characteristic features that doctors can identify them through touch alone.

Your doctor will assess several key features:

• Size, shape, and texture of the lump
• How easily it moves under the skin
• Whether it causes pain or tenderness
• How long you've noticed it and any changes
• Your family history of similar lumps

If the diagnosis isn't clear from examination alone, your doctor might order imaging tests. Ultrasound can show the internal structure and confirm it's made of fat tissue. MRI provides detailed images and helps distinguish lipomas from other soft tissue masses.

In rare cases where there's uncertainty, your doctor might recommend a biopsy. This involves taking a small tissue sample for microscopic examination. However, this is usually only necessary if the lump has unusual characteristics or doesn't behave like a typical lipoma.

Blood tests aren't needed for diagnosing simple lipomas, but they might be ordered if your doctor suspects an underlying condition that causes multiple lipomas.

What is the treatment for lipoma?

Most lipomas don't require any treatment and can be safely left alone. Since they're benign and rarely cause problems, many doctors recommend a "watch and wait" approach for small, painless lipomas.

Treatment options when needed include:

• Surgical removal: The most common treatment, done under local anesthesia
• Liposuction: Fat is suctioned out through a small incision
• Steroid injections: May shrink the lipoma, though results vary
• Minimal excision technique: Smaller incision method for certain lipomas

Surgical removal is typically straightforward and done as an outpatient procedure. Your doctor makes a small incision, removes the entire lipoma including its capsule, then closes the wound with stitches. The procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes.

For rare, deep-seated lipomas or those in complex locations, more specialized surgical approaches might be needed. These cases often require referral to a specialist and may involve general anesthesia.

Complete removal prevents recurrence in that exact spot, though new lipomas can develop elsewhere if you're prone to them.

How to manage lipoma at home?

Home care for lipomas focuses on monitoring and comfort rather than treatment, since these lumps typically don't require active intervention. Your main job is keeping an eye on any changes and maintaining the health of the surrounding skin.

Here's how you can manage lipomas at home:

• Monitor for changes: Check size, texture, and any new symptoms monthly
• Keep the area clean: Gentle washing prevents skin irritation
• Avoid trauma: Protect the area from injury or excessive pressure
• Wear comfortable clothing: Avoid tight garments that rub against the lipoma
• Apply warm compresses: May help if the area feels tender

Some people try natural remedies like turmeric or herbal supplements, but there's no scientific evidence these treatments shrink lipomas. While generally harmless, it's best to discuss any alternative treatments with your doctor first.

Pain relief can be managed with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen if your lipoma causes discomfort. However, significant or increasing pain should prompt a doctor's visit.

Remember, you don't need to massage or manipulate the lipoma. Excessive handling won't make it go away and might cause unnecessary irritation to the surrounding tissue.

How should you prepare for your doctor appointment?

Preparing for your appointment helps you get the most from your visit and ensures your doctor has all the information needed for proper evaluation. A little preparation goes a long way toward productive healthcare conversations.

Before your visit, gather this information:

• Timeline: When you first noticed the lump and any changes since
• Symptoms: Pain, tenderness, or other sensations you've experienced
• Family history: Any relatives with similar lumps or genetic conditions
• Photos: Pictures showing size changes over time, if you have them
• Current medications: Including supplements and over-the-counter drugs
• Previous medical history: Any relevant health conditions or surgeries

Write down your questions beforehand so you don't forget important concerns during the appointment. Common questions include asking about removal options, recurrence risk, and whether the lipoma might affect daily activities.

Wear clothing that allows easy access to the lipoma area. This helps your doctor examine the lump thoroughly without you having to undress completely.

Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member if you're anxious about the appointment. They can help you remember important information and provide emotional support.

What's the key takeaway about lipoma?

Lipomas are common, benign lumps made of fat tissue that develop under your skin. They're typically soft, movable, and painless, affecting millions of people without causing serious health problems.

The most important things to remember are that lipomas grow slowly, rarely become cancerous, and don't usually require treatment unless they cause discomfort or cosmetic concerns. Many people live their entire lives with lipomas without any issues.

However, any new lump deserves medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. Your doctor can quickly determine if what you're feeling is a typical lipoma and discuss options if treatment is desired.

Trust your instincts about changes in your body. While lipomas are generally harmless, sudden growth, pain, or texture changes warrant a doctor's visit for proper assessment and peace of mind.