What is a lipoma?

 

A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that's most often situated between the skin and the underlying muscle layer. A lipoma feels doughy. In most cases, a lipoma isn't cancer and usually is harmless.

 

 

Symptoms

 

Lipomas are usually situated just under the skin of the arms, thighs and shoulders, and can move readily with slight finger pressure. Lipomas are typically between 1 to 3 centimetres, but they can grow. Moreover, they are usually painless unless they grow and press on nearby organs, nerves, or blood vessels.

 

How to differentiate lipomas from sebaceous cysts?

 

They can be differentiate by their skin attachment and presence of slippage sign. Lipomas are soft mass, sliding slightly below the skin, and not attached to the overlying skin. While sebaceous cysts are more attached to the skin and cannot be easily moved. Moreover, sebaceous cyst may have a central punctum which is more diagnostic.

 

Is it necessary to remove all lipomas?

 

The surgical treatment may be considered when lipomas present with indications including poor cosmesis, certain symptoms and complications, a growing size over 5cm, or suspicious of cancer.

 

Lipoma removal surgery

 

Removal of the lipoma is a minor surgery. The surgery involves using the small incision along the low skin tension line over the lipoma. The lipoma is shelled out from the tiny incision. After excision of the lipoma, the wound is closed below the skin with absorbable sutures and there is no need to take off any sutures.

 

*The above information is for reference only, please consult your doctor for detail.