Lipoma: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Diagnosis & Treatment

A lipoma means a soft fatty lump that grows beneath your skin. It is slightly movable with the press of a finger and is usually not painful.

In rare cases, a lipoma can grow and become painful or even cancerous. These fat lumps in body are can be found anywhere on the body, such as lipoma on back, lipoma in neck, lipoma in stomach, etc.

People may often confuse lipoma with a cyst, but there is no such thing as a lipoma cyst. They are two different conditions. Unlike a cyst, lipoma grows deeper into the skin.

Though harmless in most cases, a lipoma can become cancerous in rare cases. They are formed of fatty tissue but some may involve blood vessels and other tissues as well.

Classification of lipoma is done depending on its composition. Some common lipoma types include:

1. Angiolipoma: One that contains fat and blood vessels and is generally painful.
2. Pleomorphic: This type consists of fat cells of varying sizes and shapes.
3. Fibrolipoma: It constitutes fat and fibrous tissue.
4. Myelolipoma: This lipoma type is made of fat tissues that produce white blood cells.
5. Hibernoma: These lipomas are formed of brown fat that usually generates heat and regulates the body temperature.
6. Spindle Cell Lipoma: The fat cells in this type of lipoma appear like spindles, meaning they look longer than they are wide.
7. Conventional Lipomas: This is the most common type of lipoma. It contains white fat cells, which store energy.

Though lipomas are commonly painless, they can cause discomfort depending on their location and size. Most people develop lipomas that do not show any symptoms. However, the following signs and symptoms of lipoma can be observed:

• Soft, Movable Lump: A lump just below the surface of the skin, lipoma often feels soft, movable, and painless to the touch.
• Shape: These fatty tissue lumps have a rubbery texture and are mostly symmetrical and round or oval in shape.Most lipomas are smaller than 2 inches in diameter. However, in some cases, lipomas can be as much as 6 inches wide.
  
• Slow Growth: It tends to grow slowly over a period of months or years and may not show any symptoms until it becomes noticeably large.
• Encapsulated: Lipoma lumps do not usually spread to the surrounding tissues.
• Pain: In rare cases, lipomas can cause pain or discomfort if they press on nerves or other tissues in the body.

The exact cause behind the development of lipomas is unknown but the condition is considered to be inherent. This means you are at an increased risk of developing a lipoma if there is a family history of the condition.

Meanwhile, certain conditions can also trigger the development of lumps under skin all over body. These include:

1. Decrum's Disease: A rare disorder also known as Ander's syndrome or Adiposis Dolorosa, it causes the growth of painful lipomas on the arms, legs, and torso.
2. Gardner Syndrome: Also referred to by the name Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), this condition causes multiple lipomas and various other health issues.
3. Madelung's Disease: This condition is more common in men who drink alcohol excessively. This disease results in the development of lipomas around your neck and shoulders.
4. Hereditary Multiple Lipomatosis: This condition is inherited and passed down through families and is also known as multiple familial lipomatosis.

Lipoma Risk Factors

Certain risk factors may also increase the risk of developing lipomas in body. These include:

1. Age: Lipomas are more common in middle-aged adults and increase in frequency with age.
2. Genetic Conditions: Certain genetic conditions, such as Gardner syndrome and familial multiple lipomatosis, are associated with a higher risk of developing lipoma.
3. Obesity: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing a lipoma.
4. Alcohol Use Disorder: Excess consumption of alcohol increases your risk of developing Madelung’s disease which can cause a lipoma.
5. Traumatic Injury: In rare cases, a lipoma can develop at the site of a previous injury or trauma.
6. Diabetes: Disturbances in lipid metabolism are common in diabetes and may increase the risk of developing lipomas.
7. High Cholesterol: Studies suggest that lipomas may occur due to abnormal fat metabolism in people with high cholesterol. However, more research is needed to confirm this.​​​​​

Lipoma is known to be an inherited condition, which makes it impossible to prevent it from occurring. However, you can reduce the risk of developing a lipoma by taking care of the following possible factors:

• Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise may effectively reduce the risk of developing lipoma by promoting a good metabolism and preventing fat accumulation.
• Maintain Healthy Cholesterol: Reducing the consumption of unhealthy fats and intake of a balanced diet can help maintain healthy cholesterol. This can further minimise the risk of a lipoma occurrence.
• Reduce Weight: Maintaining a healthy body weight by intake of proper diet and exercising regularly can help improve metabolism and reduce lipoma development.
• Avoid Alcohol Intake: Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing certain health conditions which may increase the risk of a lipoma.
• Avoid a Sedentary Lifestyle: Sitting for long hours and staying inactive can increase the risk of obesity and therefore reduce lipoma occurrence.

The doctor will be able to diagnose the lipoma through physical examination by using his fingers.In case the lipoma becomes painful, is abnormally large, or is presenting any other complication, your doctor may recommend and perform various tests. These include:

1. Patient History: The doctor will ask some questions to know about your medical history. You may have to explain the symptoms and give a detailed case summary to the doctor.
2. Clinical Examination: The doctor may look for the characteristic 'slippage sign' while evaluating the lipomas on the body. A slip sign in lipoma is performed by gently putting pressure to examine the size, texture, and mobility of the lump or growth.Lipomas are movable, usually small, and soft and can naturally slip from under the fingers.
3. Imaging Tests: Ultrasound scan, MRI and CT scan are performed to confirm if the condition is a lipoma or any other like a cancerous tumour.
4. Biopsy: In rare cases where the diagnosis is unclear or there is concern about the growth, a tissue sample from the lump is taken and examined under the microscope.

In my experience of diagnosing lipomas, patients often present with soft, painless lumps that have been gradually increasing in size over months or years.

A clinical examination typically reveals a mobile, well-defined subcutaneous mass, often confirmed by an ultrasound to distinguish it from other soft tissue tumours. These are often benign and require no treatment unless they cause discomfort or cosmetic concern.

- Dr. Priyanka Sharma

Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon

How to prepare for the doctor’s consultation?

You can always prepare yourself prior to a doctor’s appointment. Some of the things that can be kept in mind or noted are as below:

1. List down the symptoms including ones that may seem unrelated to the condition.
2. The patient should also inform the doctor about the intake of regular diet, medications and supplements.
3. Some of the questions that can be asked from the doctor include:
   1. What’s the likely cause of the lipoma?
   2. Is it a temporary or a permanent condition?
   3. Is lipoma cancerous? Does it cause any complications?
   4. Do I need to undergo any tests?
   5. Can I undergo lipoma removal surgery? Why or why not?
   6. What's the procedure for the removal of the lipoma? Are there risks?
   7. Is it likely to reoccur?
   8. Can I see some lipoma real images?
   9. Do you have any resources I can refer to for a better understanding of lipomas?

Most lumps under skin do not need treatment unless they cause discomfort or other complications. The following treatment methods may be advised by your doctor.

Lipoma Treatment without Surgery

While surgical lipoma removal is often effective, non-surgical treatment options are also available. Particularly for patients who prefer to avoid surgery or have a smaller tumour. Such modalities aim to reduce the size and discomfort of lipoma.

Lipoma Treatment in Ayurveda

1. Triphala Kala Basti: This contains a combination of Indian gooseberry, black myrobalan and belleric myrobalan. Studies suggest that this compound is capable of reducing fat and cholesterol levels in your body.You can visit our blog to read more about treatment of lipoma in Ayurveda.
2. Chickweed: Chickweed is used to reduce fat. Mix 1 teaspoon of chickweed in 2-3 tablespoons of neem oil or linseed oil. Apply the paste on the lipoma.

Medicinal Treatment

• Steroid Injections: The doctor will give a steroid injection directly at the site of the lipoma. This can shrink the lipoma but cannot cure or remove it.

Homoeopathy Treatment for Lipoma

1. Calcarea Carb: It is a recommended treatment for lipoma, especially in overweight patients. It is prescribed based on head sweating, cold sensitivity, and gastric health, ensuring the patient's symptomatic suitability. 
2. Sulphur: Typically, it is effective for patients with excessive sweating and heat sensitivity. As per lipoma treatment in homoeopathy, the medicine is also suitable for people who dislike baths.
3. Belladonna:  A painless drug in homoeopathy that relieves pain and dissolves lipomas. Highly recommended in cases where the lumps can be painful to touch.
4. Thuja:  Widely used homoeopathic medicine that effectively dissolves all types of lipomas. It has been found more suitable for people with high cholesterol levels.

Related Read: Best Homeopathic Medicine for Lipoma

Home Remedies for Lipoma

1. Regular aerobic activities, such as walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling, can help burn off excess fatty tissue and increase blood flow.
2. Abdominal exercises like crunches or planks can shrink problematic nodules over time.
   
3. Strength training targets muscle groups in the lipoma area, reducing pain and inflammation.
4. Yoga can improve flexibility, reduce inflammation, and boost circulation. It can also help reduce the size of lipomas.
   

• Ustrasana
• Paschimottanasana
• Vrikshasana
• Bhujangasana
• Salabhasana  

Also Read: Lipoma Cure by Exercise

Lipoma Treatment with Surgery

When a lipoma is causing complications and discomfort, surgery may be recommended by your doctor. It is important to note that your doctor will diagnose and devise a suitable treatment plan for you. It is best not to undergo any treatments without a doctor’s investigation and consultation.

Following are the surgical procedures done to treat lipoma.

1. Lipoma Removal Surgery: Most lipomas are removed through lipoma removal surgery by cutting them under the influence of local anaesthesia.
2. Liposuction: A cosmetic surgical procedure, liposuction is used to remove the fatty tissue from the lipoma growth.

Lipoma Surgery Cost

The lipoma removal cost can vary depending on several factors, including the type of procedure, the hospital or clinic where the procedure is performed, and the location.

The following table shows the cost of different types of lipoma surgery:

Lipomas that develop in certain locations can cause obstruction or bleeding by pressing on the surrounding blood vessels. If the lipoma is pressing on a nerve, it will be painful or may develop other symptoms related to nerve pressure.

Below mentioned are some of the complications of lipomas:

1. Pain: A lipoma can cause pain or discomfort if it presses on nearby nerves or tissue.
2. Cardiac Lipoma: Lipoma that grows around the heart can cause embolism.
3. Gastrointestinal Lipoma: A lipoma that grows in the stomach can cause an obstruction as well as cause bleeding, apart from which the lipoma can also take the form of an ulcer.
4. Cancerous Tumours: In extremely rare cases, a lipoma can develop into a cancerous tumour called a liposarcoma.
5. Cosmetic Concerns: Depending on the size and location of the lipoma, it can cause cosmetic concerns for some individuals.

When to see a doctor?

The patient can consult the doctor if he/she notices a lump or swelling anywhere on the body. Also, in case the following symptoms show up, you can visit a doctor:

1. Unbearable pain
2. Rapid growth
3. Hardness
4. Difficult to move it

Lipoma, being an inherent condition, cannot be prevented. However, you can maintain a healthy balanced diet and avoid the consumption of unhealthy foods to stay healthy and disease-free.

The food that an individual eats and their lifestyle play a pivotal role in the development of any disease. Below are some dietary steps that an individual can undertake if he/she has lipoma.

• Fruits and Vegetables: Increase your daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. They contain antioxidants that help reduce fat in the blood. Some examples of fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants are blueberries, raspberries, apples, plums, citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, squash and bell peppers.
• Fish: It contains healthy omega-3 fats and protein in good amounts.Omega-3 fats help reduce inflammation and may help limit the growth of lipomas. Salmon and tuna are high sources of omega-3 fatty acids as well as protein.
• Avoid Fast and Processed Food: Limiting the consumption of such foods can help you cut back on unhealthy fats such as trans fat.
• Limit Red Meat Consumption: Red meat is often injected with antibiotics or hormones. This increases the cholesterol levels in your body which can promote the growth of lipoma.

Though a lipoma is not harmful, it may cause some discomfort depending on the size and location. Fatty tissue growth leads to the development of a lipoma and there is no such way to prevent its occurrence.

In some cases where lipoma causes discomfort or pain, surgery may be necessary. Some of the surgical procedures performed to remove a lipoma can be cutting out the lipoma or doing liposuction to remove the fatty tissue from the lipoma growth.

You can get in touch with HexaHealth to know the best treatment options available for lipoma. We can be your buddy from getting to know about the condition to the post-surgical care stage.

Suggested Reads

• Sebaceous Cyst vs Lipoma
• How to Remove a Lipoma Yourself Naturally?
• Does Insurance Cover Lipoma Removal Surgery?

Patient Success Story - Lipoma Surgery