Lipoma

What is Lipoma?

Lipoma is a non cancerous (benign) lump that forms due to an overgrowth of fat cells. It is made up of soft tissues and is not cancerous, but can be malignant if it spreads across the body. Lipoma is painless, soft to touch, and usually movable. They are small, but can grow in size. Lipomas are more common in the age group of 40 to 60 years. They are also evident in younger children and young adults. There are many types of lipoma - Adenolipomas, Angiolipoleiomyoma, Angiolipomas, Cerebellopontine Angle, Chondroid Lipomas, and Corpus Callosum.

Lipomas are located in the back, neck, shoulders, stomach, thighs and arms. They can be painful if they grow into the nerves. Lipomas are similar in description to liposarcoma, which is cancer.

Symptoms

Following are symptoms of lumps that can cause lipomas:

  • Slow growth.
  • Colourless quality.
  • Pale nature.
  • Present under the skin.
  • Soft to touch.
  • Move easily.

 

Causes

The causes of this disease are unknown. However, genetic factors play a great role in the development of lipomas.

 

Risks

The main risk factors of this disease include:

  • Being between the age of 40 to 60 years.
  • Genetics.
  • Having various other disorders.

 

Prevention

In order to prevent the occurrence of the disease, one should take care of the following:

  • Taking a healthy diet.
  • Taking enough green tea.
  • Using prescribed ointments to reduce the intensity of lipomas.

How is it diagnosed?

Lipoma is not painful, unless it is made up of fatty tissues. At Medanta, the diagnosis of this disease include tests such as: 

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How is it treated?

Lipoma does not require a treatment unless it is painful. The lumps might have to be removed by simple excision if they are fast-growing. At Medanta, the procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes less than 30 minutes. New methods to re..

  • Injecting steroids

    These injections are very useful. They are injected in the affected areas, and shrink the lipomas, but does not completely remove it.

     

  • Surgery

    Surgery is helpful when the tumour is large. Chances of recurrence after surgery is rare.

     

  • Liposuction

    This is done when the lipomas are soft and have small connective tissues.

When do I contact the doctor?

One should immediately see a doctor, if they begin to face symptoms such as slow growth of lumps, and their easy movement. All these symptoms will be treated just right with the help of our medical expertise at Medanta.

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