A lipoma is a growth of fatty tissue that slowly develops under your skin. People of any age can develop a lipoma, but children rarely develop them. A lipoma can form on any part of the body, but they typically appear on the: neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms and thighs. They’re classified as benign growths, or tumors, of fatty tissue. This means a lipoma isn’t cancerous and is rarely harmful.
Symptoms
There are many types of skin tumors, but a lipoma usually has distinct characteristics. If you suspect that you have a lipoma it will generally:
- be soft to the touch
- move easily if prodded with your finger
- be just under the skin
- be pale
- be colorless
- grow slowly
Lipomas are most commonly located in the neck, back, and shoulders, but they can also occur on the stomach, thighs, and arms. The lipoma is only painful if it grows into nerves underneath the skin. You should call your doctor if you notice any changes in your skin. Lipomas can look very similar to a cancerous condition called liposarcoma.
Risk Factors
The cause of lipomas is unknown. Your risk of developing this type of skin lump increases if you have a family history of lipomas. This condition is most prevalent in adults between the ages of 40 and 60. Certain conditions may also increase your risk of lipoma development. These include:
- adiposis dolorosa (a rare disorder characterized by multiple, painful lipomas)
- Cowden syndrome
- Gardner’s syndrome
- Madelung’s disease
Diagnosis
Doctors can often diagnose a lipoma by performing a physical exam. It feels soft and isn’t painful. Also, since it’s made up of fatty tissues, the lipoma moves easily when touched.
In some cases, a dermatologist might take a biopsy of the lipoma. During this procedure, they’ll scrape a small portion of the tissue and send it to a lab for testing. This test is done to rule out the possibility of cancer. Although a lipoma isn’t cancerous, it can look like a liposarcoma, which is malignant, or cancerous. Unlike lipomas, liposarcomas are painful and grow under the skin quickly. Further testing using MRI and CT scans are only required if a biopsy shows that a suspected lipoma is actually a liposarcoma.
Treatment
A lipoma that’s left alone usually doesn’t cause any problems. However, your dermatologist can treat the lump if it bothers you. Your dermatologist will make the best treatment recommendation based on a variety of factors including:
- the size of the lipoma
- the number of skin tumors you have
- your personal history of skin cancer
- your family history of skin cancer
- whether the lipoma is painful
Lipomas are benign tumors. This means that there’s no chance that an existing lipoma will spread. The condition will not spread through muscles or any other surrounding tissues, and it isn’t life-threatening. A lipoma can’t be reduced with self-care. Ice and heat packs may work for other types of skin lumps, but they aren’t helpful for lipomas because they’re fat-based. See your doctor for treatment if you have any concerns about getting rid of a lipoma.
