A lipoma is a lump of fatty tissue that grows just under the skin. When touching a lipoma, you can move it easily and feel rubbery without causing any pain. However, if you have a lipoma when should you remove it so as not to trigger bigger health problems? Let’s get to know more in this article.
What Is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a round or oval-shaped lump of tissue that grows just beneath the skin, that is made of fats. Lipomas are usually benign tumours. About 1 of every 1,000 people has a lipoma. Lipomas appear most often among women between ages 40 and 60.
Where Do Lipomas Grow?
Lipomas can develop anywhere on the body. Most lipomas develop just under the skin on the back, shoulders, neck, wrists, buttocks and thighs. Rarely, lipomas may grow on muscles, internal organs or the brain. The majority of people only have one lipoma (solitary), but it is possible to grow more than one lipoma (multiple).
Is lipoma a benign or malignant tumor?
Lipomas are benign soft tissue tumours. They grow slowly and are not cancerous.
Does Obesity Cause a Lipoma to Grow?
Although the Chinese naming of Lipoma includes ‘fats’ and the fact that lipomas are made of fats, there is no evidence showing the connection between lipomas and obesity. People with an average physique or considered thin also grow lipomas.
What Causes a Lipoma?
Scientists are not sure what causes lipomas to grow. In common, it is believed that lipomas are inherited. You are more likely to develop a lipoma if someone in your family has one.
In addition, some conditions cause multiple lipomas to form on the body. Lipoma-causing conditions include Cowden syndrome and Gardner’s syndrome which may raise one’s chance of growing lipomas.
What Are the Types of Lipomas?
Lipomas are made of fat. Some lipomas also contain blood vessels or other tissues. There are different types of lipomas, including:
- Conventional: The most common type, a conventional lipoma contains white fat cells. White fat cells store energy.
- Angiolipoma: Contains fat and blood vessels. Angiolipomas are often painful.
- Fibrolipoma: Besides fat, fibrous tissue also makes up this type of lipoma.
- Hibernoma: Contains brown fat. Most other lipomas contain white fat. Brown fat cells generate heat and help regulate body temperature.
- Myelolipoma: Contains fat and tissues that produce blood cells.
- Spindle Cell: Formed by spindle cells and mature fat cells.
- Pleomorphic: Contains fat cells of various sizes and shapes.
How Are Lipomas Diagnosed?
Most people may discover that they have lipomas during their body check-ups. Your doctor will touch the lipoma and check with you to see if it is painful or tender. Rarely, your doctor will have concerns about your lipoma’s location and the possibility of your lipoma becoming malignant. In such cases, your doctor may do a biopsy or diagnostic imaging test for further examination.
Will Lipomas Go Away On Their Own?
Lipomas rarely go away on their own but also rarely cause problems. They stop growing at a particular size.
Is It Necessary to Treat Lipomas?
Most lipomas do not need treatment. If a lipoma is bothering you, your doctor can remove it surgically. Lipoma removal procedures are safe and effective, and you can usually go home the same day.
How Are Lipoma Removed?
Generally, a lipoma can be removed by surgery or liposuction. If you do not want a surgery, you can consider steroid injection or laser removal.
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Surgical removal |
Most lipomas are removed by surgical resection. Recurrences are uncommon after the removal. |
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Liposuction |
Use a needle to remove the fatty lump inside a lipoma. Recurrences may occur if the removal is not thorough. |
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Laser removal |
Suitable for lipomas in small size |
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Steroid injection |
Diminish a lipoma by injecting steroids but the recurrence rate is higher than the above removal methods. |
How Are the Costs of a Lipoma Removal?
Below are the charges of lipoma removal in the public and private hospitals in Hong Kong.
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Hospitals |
Costs |
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HK$13,000 - $19,000 (Depending on the degree of anesthesia) |
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Public Hospital’s private services |
HK$6,070 - $37,800 (Depending on the area) |
What are the Differences Between a Lipoma and Cysts?
Since the size of lipomas are small initially, many mix lipomas up with cysts. However, their causes, sizes and appearances are different as summarised below.
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Lipomas |
Cysts |
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Develop due to the overgrowth and accumulation of fats under the skin |
Develop due to the blockage at grease glands |
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Bigger in size and grow until reaching a particular size |
Smaller in size |
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No drainage hole on the surface |
With small drainage holes at the centre |
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