Lipoma - Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Types, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

What Is Lipoma?

A lipoma is a fatty lump, which is a very slow-growing mass commonly seen between the skin and the muscle below the skin layer. It is usually benign and does not convert to cancer. A lipoma that grows very fast and or is painful should be consulted with a physician and may require a biopsy. They can occur in any age group but are usually seen in middle-aged people.

What Can Cause Lipoma?

The cause of lipoma is unknown. There is a link between lipoma and genetics, so they seem to run through the families. Injuries like a blow are also a common cause that triggers the growth of lipoma.

How Common Is Lipoma?

Lipomas are very common between the ages of 40 and 60 years and affect both genders. One in every 1000 people is susceptible to lipoma. The incidence is higher in males than females.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Lipoma?

The signs and symptoms of lipoma may include:

• A lipoma is usually present underneath the skin.

• It develops as a small and soft lump, which is usually less than two inches wide.

• They are colorless.

• They move quickly with the finger.

• When pressed on the lipoma, it may feel like a dough-like consistency.

• They are usually not painful but can be painful when pressing on the organs, joints, nerves, or blood vessels running through them.

• It is simple to identify a lipoma since one can move it very easily.

• They are usually small but can grow larger.

• Lipomas that are present deeper under the skin cannot be easily seen and felt.

• Lipoma can be present in any part of the body, like the neck, shoulders, forearms, thighs, and arms.

• Deep lipoma can most commonly put pressure on the nerves or the internal organs. For example, it can cause constipation, nausea, and vomiting if present near or on the bowels.

• Lipoma usually does not cause any pain, but angiolipoma can be more painful than a regular lipoma.

What Are the Types of Lipomas?

• Neural fibro lipoma (overgrowth of fibro-fatty tissue along the nerve trunk).

• Angiolipoma (lipoma containing blood vessels).

• Angioleiomyoma (soft tissue tumor of smooth muscles).

• Intradermal spindle cell lipoma (rare neoplasm in subcutaneous tissue).

• Spindle cell lipoma (benign cancer containing evenly arranged spindle cells).

• Chondroid lipoma (overgrowth containing fat and cartilage).

• Pleomorphic lipoma (benign tumor containing immature fat cells).

• Hibernoma (brown fat tissue tumor).

What Are the Risk Factors for Lipoma?

1. Men are more likely to get multiple lipomas than females, but both sexes are equally likely to get lipomas.

2. Several genetic conditions have been associated with an increased risk of developing lipomas.

3. They are commonly seen in people with medical conditions like:

• Gardner’s syndrome (abnormal growths in the large and small intestines).

• Madelung disease (unusual storage of fat in neck, shoulders, and upper arms).

• Adiposis dolorosa (painful growth of fat cells).

• Cowden syndrome (presence of non-cancerous growth and incidence of cancer is high).

• Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (a rare condition characterized by a large head, spots on the penis, and overgrowths seen in the intestines).

4. Other risk factors that can cause lipoma are:

• Diabetes mellitus.

• Obesity.

• Liver disease.

• High-cholesterol.

• Glucose intolerance.

How to Diagnose Lipoma?

The techniques used to diagnose lipoma are:

• Physical Examination: During a physical examination of a lipoma, a healthcare provider palpates the area to determine the size, shape, and consistency of the mass. And also for any signs of tenderness, pain, or inflammation around the lump.

• Biopsy: The tissue sample is taken for biopsy.

• Ultrasound: Ultrasound is done to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the size and location of the lipoma.

• CT (Computed Tomography): Assess the relationship of the lipoma with surrounding structures, such as muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Differentiate the lipoma from other types of masses or tumors.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This is done, especially if the lipoma is large and is present very deep in the skin.

What Are the Treatment Options for Lipoma?

The lipoma is rarely harmful, and it usually does not require any treatment unless it is bothering. Sometimes, the lump which resembles a lipoma can be a cancerous condition called liposarcoma. The liposarcoma is a cancerous tumor that multiplies on the fatty tissues that do not move under the skin and are usually painful. Lipoma need not be removed as they are not cancerous and cannot become cancer, but they need to be removed if they have the following symptoms:

• Tender or painful.

• Inflamed or infected repeatedly.

• When the lipoma drains a foul-smelling discharge, surgical removal is necessary.

• When interfering with any function or movement, surgical excision is mandatory.

• Size increases.

• Annoying or unsightly.

What Are the Steps Involved in the Surgical Removal of Lipomas?

• Local anesthesia will be injected around the lipoma by the surgeon.

• An incision is made in the skin.

• The lipoma is removed.

• The incision is closed with the sutures.

• When the lipoma is present in an area that cannot be reached with a simple incision, it should be removed using general anesthesia.

What Are the Other Methods Used to Remove Lipoma?

• Liposuction - This is the method that uses a large syringe and a needle to take out the fatty lump, and it is complicated to eradicate the lipoma.

• Steroid Injections- These are used to shrink the lipoma but cannot remove it.

• Bitter Foods and Herbs- These will increase the body’s capacity to digest the fats like a lipoma. These bitters will stimulate the liver and gallbladder to metabolize the fats. Bitter herbs used are wormwood, gentian, rue, yarrow, centaury, southernwood, boneset, and goldenseal. And the bitter foods commonly used are dandelion greens, citrus peels, unsweetened chocolates, and olives.

• Chickweed- This chickweed tincture is available in the herbal store. Taking one teaspoon of this chickweed tincture three times a day can help reduce the lipoma. Chickweed ointment is also available in the herbal store and should be applied once a day over the affected area.

• Lemon Juice - Drinking water containing lemon juice will help remove toxins from the body by stimulating and strengthening the digestive system and purifying the liver.

• Cedars - Apply cedar ointment three times daily on the affected area and massage over it. Then add five drops of cedar extract to two teaspoons of water and have it three times daily.

How to Prevent Lipoma From Occurring?

The best ways to prevent lipoma are:

• Maintaining a healthy body weight.

• Doing regular exercise.

• Eating healthy foods.

• Avoid consumption of alcohol.

When Should One Seek Medical Help if a Lipoma Is Noticed?

Seeking medical help is needed in the following conditions:

• The size of the lump rapidly increases.

• There is a recurrent infection.

• A foul-smelling discharge from the lump.

• When there is pain and tenderness associated with the lipoma.

Conclusion:

When a swelling or a lump in the body is seen, check it with a doctor. Check whether it is a harmless lipoma or something else that needs to be treated or removed. Rarely can a lipoma be formed in the internal organs or more in-depth into the muscles, but if it occurs and causes pain, it needs to be removed.