Lipoma tumors are benign tumors made up of fat cells and are common in the general population. Treatment is usually offered for cosmetic or mobility reasons, or if there is concern it may be malignant. Treatment options include surgical excision, liposuction, or steroid injections. Lipomatosis is a variation where numerous lipomas form, and Dercum’s disease involves painful lipomas. Biopsies may be ordered if a growth is suspected to be malignant.
A lipoma tumor is a benign tumor composed of fat cells. Also known as fatty tumors, lipomas are very common in the general population. Treatment for a lipoma is usually offered when a patient finds the tumor unsightly or finds that the tumor restricts range of motion. Treatment may also be recommended if the tumor is ambiguous in nature and a doctor is concerned it may be malignant, in which case treatment would allow the doctor to remove it and test it for signs of malignancy.
Lipomas are the most common type of soft tissue cancer. Many appear just under the skin, allowing patients to see and feel the tumor, which appears as a soft, movable lump. Lipomas are usually painless and may have a whitish to yellow appearance. A common treatment for this type of tumor is surgical excision, in which the tumor is simply removed by a surgeon, although a lipoma can also be removed with liposuction.
Another treatment option for a lipoma tumor is steroid injections. The steroids will shrink the fat cells, breaking down the tumor. This option is less invasive and less painful and can be used for a first attempt at treatment to see if the cancer can be resolved without surgery. Steroid injections can be given as an outpatient procedure in a doctor’s office or medical clinic.
A variation on the basic lipoma tumor known as lipomatosis involves the formation of numerous lipomas. Lipomatosis is more common in men and can appear anywhere on the body, with the trunk being an especially popular location. More rarely, patients can develop Dercum’s disease, also known as adiposis painful, in which numerous very painful lipomas form. Because lipomas are painful in this case, treatment for this condition is usually more aggressive.
When a lipoma is diagnosed, patients can discuss their options with a doctor. Your doctor may recommend taking a wait-and-see approach, doing nothing about the tumor and monitoring it for any signs of inflammation or rapid growth. Patients who wish to have their tumor removed can discuss their options and the various risks associated with each choice.
If a doctor suspects a growth may be more than just a lipoma, they will usually order a biopsy, in which a sample of the tumor will be taken and examined in a laboratory. Patients can also opt for a complete removal and biopsy of a suspicious growth, which will save time, as a malignant biopsy result will result in a recommendation to remove the tumor.
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