Lipomas are benign tumors that are usually small, soft to the touch, and found just below the skin’s surface. They can cause pain if pressing on a nerve or made up of many blood vessels. Lipomas are caused by an overgrowth of fatty tissue and are not cancerous. They can be easily removed if they become painful or unsightly, and any lump or mass in the body should be checked by a doctor.
A lipoma is a benign tumor or lump that lies just below the surface of the skin. Lipoma symptoms are related to the size, location, and feel of the lump. They are usually soft to the touch and typically quite small. These tumors can be painful, but are usually not bothersome. Lipomas are most commonly found in the neck, stomach, upper thighs, arms and shoulders.
When this type of soft tissue tumor is touched, it can move and feel very much like a small ball of dough. The ability to move the lump is one of the best ways to distinguish lipomas from other types of tumors. While some can get quite large, the vast majority are less than 2 inches (5 cm) wide. One of the rarer symptoms of lipoma is pain. Most nodules aren’t painful to the touch, but they can be if they’re pressing on a nerve or made up of many blood vessels.
The cause of a lipoma is an overgrowth of fatty tissue between the muscles and the skin. The lump is not cancerous, but there may be more than one at any given time. The most common age for a person to suffer from these tumors is between 40 and 50, although they can appear at any age. Soft tissue tumors are very rare in young children. While the presence of excess fatty tissue appears to run in families, the exact cause is not known.
Approximately one percent of the population will experience fatty tissue cancer in their lifetime. Sometimes, these tumors will develop after an injury to the site or because of a chromosomal problem. Many lumps have grown slowly over years before becoming noticeable. Some scientific researchers believe it is possible for benign lipomas to develop into cancerous tumors, but much more research is needed in this area.
While lipoma symptoms can be concerning, these types of tumors are rarely dangerous and can be easily removed. The lump usually doesn’t need to be removed unless it becomes painful or unsightly. In rare cases, tumors can develop in the intestines and cause intestinal blockage that will require immediate treatment. Any type of lump or mass in the body should be checked by a qualified doctor. Diagnosis is typically achieved by analyzing the symptoms of the lipoma and an ultrasound of the area.
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