LIPOMA

What Is Lipoma

A lipoma is a benign collection of fat cells. It usually presents as a soft fatty lump. They can occur anywhere that there are fat cells but most commonly under the skin. They very in size and ranges from very small and barely noticeable lumps to large, aesthetically disfiguring sizes. It is most common on the trunk. Apart from the cosmetic displeasure in some cases, most lipomas cause no symptoms. Occasionally they may press on some structures and cause pain. Lipomas occur on both people who are overweight as well as those of normal weight. Some people have a familial tendency to develop multiple lipomas (familial multiple lipomatosis).

What tests do I need?

Most of the time the treatment is based on the clinical findings. However for large lipomas, an ultrasound scan and/or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan may be requested to rule out sinister conditions.

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What treatment?
This can be left alone if you desire. But you may like something done about it.

Surgery is the treatment.

This can be by conventional surgery.

This can also be removed by means of liposuction (Liposuction - this technique which sucks out the fat can also be used especially for large lipoma in very obvious areas where all attempts are being made to avoid an obvious scar. In this technique, you are left with barely visible and very small scars).