Lipoma

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KEY POINTS

• A lipoma is a lump under your skin made up of fatty tissue. They are usually on the arms, legs, or trunk.
• Most of the time, lipomas do not need treatment. Your healthcare provider may remove a lipoma if it is painful or is growing rapidly.
• Ask your healthcare provider what symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them.

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What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a rubbery, moveable, lumpy area under your skin made up of fatty tissue. It is not cancer. A lipoma is usually on an arm, leg, or trunk, or it can grow inside your body.

Anyone can have a lipoma, but lipomas are more common in people ages 40 to 60 years.

What is the cause?

The cause of lipomas is not known. You may have lipomas if your family members have lipomas.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• Pain or tenderness
• Slightly rubbery, moveable lumps on arms, legs, or trunk just under the skin

If a lipoma is on the inside of your body, it may put pressure on a nerve or an organ and may cause pain.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. Usually, your healthcare provider will decide you have a lipoma when the lump is soft to the touch and can be moved around slightly under the skin.

Tests may include:

• CT scan, uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed pictures of the lump
• MRI, which uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show detailed pictures of the lump
• Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to show pictures of the lump
• Biopsy, which is removal of a small sample of tissue

How is it treated?

A lipoma isn't cancer and usually is harmless. Most of the time, a lipoma does not need treatment. If the lipoma is bothering you, is painful, or is growing, you may want to have it removed.

Large, painful, or rapidly growing lipomas may be removed with surgery. Usually, this is done with local anesthesia to numb the area. Your healthcare provider will make a small cut in the skin and remove the lipoma.

Talk to your healthcare provider about the right treatment for you.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. Ask your provider:

• How and when you will get your test results
• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.