Different types of lipomas are named based on their location and composition. They are usually benign and hereditary, but can cause discomfort if they compress nerve tissue or organs. Angiolipomas contain complex vascular structures and cause discomfort, while fibrolipomas contain fatty and fibrous tissue and can cause lymphedema and nerve compression. Myelolipomas contain fatty tissue, red and white blood cells, and platelet-forming capabilities, and can cause blood in the urine, high blood pressure, and organ compression pain. Pleomorphic lipomas vary in fat content and contain collagen fibers, blood vessels, and empty spaces. Spindle cell lipomas are firmer and contain fibrous cells and mucous material.
Scientists typically name different types of lipomas for where they grow. Benign tumors contain fatty tissue that may accompany collagen or other fibrous tissue and vascular structures. They are usually hereditary, but can occur as a result of tissue injury or trauma. Individuals who have these soft tissue tumors generally do not require treatment unless the mass is causing discomfort because it compresses nerve tissue or organs. On rare occasions, they can cause bleeding.
Angiolipomas most commonly develop as multiple growths on the arms or chest of young adults. This type of tumor acquired its name because, in addition to fatty or fatty tissue, the mass usually contains complex vascular structures. Individuals who have these growths usually complain of discomfort.
Conventional lipomas form under the skin. The lump is usually painless and movable under the skin’s surface. This type of growth is the most common and contains fatty tissue surrounded by a fibrous outer covering. These masses can be as large as a couple of inches in diameter (1 inch = 2.54 centimeters).
Fibrolipomas are a mixture of fatty and fibrous tissue. They can develop anywhere on the body, but are most frequently found in and around the mouth and anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. These masses often cause lymphedema and nerve compression and have been associated with hemorrhaging.
The rarest form is myelolipoma. These tumors contain fatty tissue but also consist of red and white blood cells as well as have platelet-forming capabilities, similar to bone marrow. They usually develop singly inside or outside an adrenal gland. Myelolipomas most often affect men between the ages of 40 and 60. Individuals may experience blood in the urine, high blood pressure, and organ compression pain.
Pleomorphic lipomas usually appear on the back of the neck, upper back, and shoulders. Unlike typical growths, these masses vary in fat content, which can range from 10% to 90%. Accompanying the adipose tissue are bundles of collagen fibers, blood vessels and empty spaces.
Spindle cell lipomas are often mistaken for a malignancy known as liposarcoma. These growths are usually firmer to the touch than average lipoma masses. They contain gray, white and yellow coloring. In addition to fatty tissue, the tumor has spindle-shaped bundles of fibrous cells and mucous material. These growths usually affect males between the ages of 45 and 70.
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