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COMPLETE AND COMPREHENSIVE Lipoma

Lipoma

What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a fat lump that grows in your body’s soft tissues and appears round or oval in shape under the skin. This condition is made of fat, when touched it moves easily and often doesn’t causes severe pain. It is a noncancerous condition that slowly grows under your skin.

The condition is harmless and doesn’t need treatment. Any individual of any age group can experience this problem, but this condition is experienced by people who are between 40 and 60. Lipoma is a common condition and one in every thousand people comes across this condition once in their lifetime.

The classification of this condition is done as fatty tissue, benign growth, or tumors. Consult a dermatologist if you observe any variations in your skin. This condition appears similar to liposarcoma which is rare cancer.

Lipoma symptoms

Lipoma is a condition that doesn’t cause severe painful experiences, but it can be discomforting if pressed against a nerve or developed near a joint. Majority of people don’t even notice that they have this condition as sometimes it doesn’t pose any noticeable symptoms. This condition can occur anywhere in the body and are found usually:

  • Lipoma can be found under the skin. It usually occurs in the body parts such as shoulders, back, neck, arms, abdomen, and thighs.
  • They are very soft and doughy to touch and move easily with just a touch of a finger.
  • Usually, lipoma is less than two inches in diameter.
  • Lipoma can be at times painful if they develop or contain several blood vessels.

Lipoma causes

Healthcare experts aren’t certain about lipoma causes, however, it is believed that it can be passed down through families. There are some conditions which can result in a lipoma condition. Here are these conditions:

  • Dercum’s disease: It is a rare disorder causing painful lipomas to develop, usually on the trunk, legs, and arms. It is also referred to as ‘Ander’s syndrome’.
  • Gardner syndrome: This is a disorder also known as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). It is also a condition which results in growing lipoma including other health issues.
  • Hereditary multiple lipomatosis: It is referred to as familial multiple lipomatosis (passed down through families) as well and is believed to be among the contributing causes for lipoma condition.
  • Madelung’s disease is a condition that occurs usually in men who are into regular drinking habits. It is also known as multiple symmetric lipomatosis, and grows around the shoulders, and neck.

Types of lipoma

All lipomas are formed of fat and there are some which contain blood vessels and other tissues. There are different types of lipoma which includes:

  • Angiolipoma: This type is made of fat and contains blood vessels. It causes more severe pain than other types.
  • Conventional: It is one of the common types which contain white fat cells and they are known for storing energy.
  • Fibrolipoma: The formation of this type of lipoma depends on the fat and fibrous tissues.
  • Hibernoma: This lipoma type contains brown fat whereas other types have white fat. Brown fat cells are known for generating heaty and regulating temperature in the body.
  • Myelolipoma: It has both fat cells and tissues responsible for producing blood cells.
  • Spindle cell: The fat cells in this type are longer than other types and are wide.
  • Pleomorphic: It involves fat cells having different shapes and sizes.

When to see a doctor

It is important for people with lipoma to speak to their doctor if they observe alterations in a lipoma or if lipoma is appearing. If you notice these changes in lipoma make sure to get in touch with the doctor immediately:

  • Size increase or suddenly growing very fast
  • Severe pain
  • Redness
  • Becoming hard or appears like an immovable lump
  • Visible changes in the overlying skin

Lipoma diagnosis

Healthcare experts initiate lipoma diagnosis by performing a physical assessment. In rare cases, there might be an involvement of a dermatologist for lipoma biopsy. During the process, there will be a need for small tissue and samples so that it can be tested in a lab.

Clinical professionals perform this test for ruling out the cancer possibility. However, lipoma is not a cancerous condition, it can rarely cause liposarcoma, that is cancerous.

Additionally, the diagnosis will be taken forward by CT scans and MRI if liposarcoma is suspected in the biopsy report.

Lipoma removal and treatment

Usually, lipoma condition is not harmful and doctors leave them alone frequently. You must ensure keeping an eye on this condition during visits. If you notice that it is hurting, or you aren’t liking the way it looks, then probably you might have to choose lipoma removal. Your doctor will remove it with a small cut surgically. You will be given a medical shot so that the area is numb. You can go home after this minor procedure, but you might be asked to visit again so that the doctor can take out the stitches.

The possible lipoma treatment options recommended for patients with lipoma are steroids and liposuction. Steroids are useful in shrinking a tumour and with liposuctions, the doctor initiates drawing out the fatty tissue by using a needle.

Why should you choose Rukmani Birla Hospital for lipoma treatment?

Rukmani Birla Hospital, Jaipur is one of the well-known and exceptional multi-specialty hospitals offering incomparable healthcare services to its patients. We are also known for NABH accreditation and the hospital equipped with the latest and advanced technologies. We aim to offer services that are not only satisfactory to our patients but also economical. With the assistance of our experienced and highly-skilled professionals, we wish to provide our healthcare services to every individual across the city. If you are looking for lipoma treatment, then we are your best pick. All you need to do is book an appointment or physically visit our hospital, further, we will take care of everything for you.

FAQs

Can lipoma be prevented?

Lipoma is a condition passed down through families and is difficult to prevent. However, lipoma symptoms can be controlled with the right medication and treatment.
 

How is life after lipoma?

The majority of people with lipoma don’t even know if they have this condition. Usually, it doesn’t require treatment, but in severe cases, doctors follow the process of lipoma removal. It can grow back even after the treatment, but it can grow in a different spot.

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