What is Lipoma?

1. A lipoma is a round or oval-shaped lump of tissue that grows just beneath the skin. It’s made of fat, moves easily
when you touch it and doesn’t usually cause pain.
2. Lipomas are benign soft tissue tumors. They grow slowly and are not cancerous. Most lipomas don’t need treatment.
3. Lipomas are usually detected in middle age. Some people have more than one lipoma.
4. (Doc, Cancerous po ba ang lipoma? ) lipoma isn't cancerous and usually is harmless.
5. Lipomas are commonly found on the arms, legs, back, neck, shoulders, trunk and forehead.
LIPOMAS CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE IN THE BODY. THEY ARE TYPICALLY:

 Situated just under the skin. They commonly occur in the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms and thighs.

 Soft and doughy to the touch. They also move easily with slight finger pressure.

 Generally small. Lipomas are typically less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter, but they can grow.

 Sometimes painful. Lipomas can be painful if they grow and press on nearby nerves or if they contain many blood
vessels.

RISK FACTORS:

 Being between 40 and 60 years old. Although lipomas can occur at any age, they're most common
in this age group.
 Genetics. Lipomas tend to run in families.

SYMPTOMS OF LIPOMA

Lipomas aren’t usually painful, but they can be uncomfortable if they press against a nerve or develop near a
joint. Many people who have a lipoma don’t notice any symptoms. Lipomas are usually:

 Encapsulated: They don’t spread to the tissues surrounding them.

 Painless: However, some lipomas cause pain and discomfort depending on their location, size and if
blood vessels are present.
 Round or oval-shaped: The fatty lumps of rubbery tissue are usually symmetrical.
 Moveable: They sit just beneath the skin’s surface and move when you touch them.
 Smaller than 2 inches in diameter: In a few cases, lipomas can be larger than 6 inches wide.

CAUSES OF LIPOMA

Healthcare providers aren’t sure what causes lipomas to grow. They are inherited (passed down through families). You’re
more likely to develop a lipoma if someone in your family has one.

TYPES OF LIPOMA

All lipomas are made of fat. Some lipomas also contain blood vessels or other tissues. There are several types of
lipomas, including:

 Angiolipoma: This type contains fat and blood vessels. Angiolipomas are often painful.
 Conventional: The most common type, a conventional lipoma contains white fat cells. White fat cells
store energy.
 Fibrolipoma: Fat and fibrous tissue make up this type of lipoma.
 Hibernoma: This kind of lipoma contains brown fat. Most other lipomas contain white fat. Brown fat cells
generate heat and help regulate body temperature.
 Myelolipoma: These lipomas contain fat and tissues that produce blood cells.
 Spindle cell: The fat cells in these lipomas are longer than they are wide.
 Pleomorphic: These lipomas have fat cells of various sizes and shapes.

TREATMENT FOR LIPOMA

Most lipomas don’t need treatment. If a lipoma is bothering you, your provider can remove it surgically. Lipoma
removal procedures are safe and effective, and you can usually go home the same day.

As an alternative to lipoma surgery, your provider may recommend liposuction to remove the lipoma. Your
provider uses a long, thin needle to remove fatty tissue from the growth.