A lipoma, commonly known as a 'fatty lump' in colloquial terms, is described in medical literature as a soft lump that forms due to the growth of a cluster of fat cells within a capsule. Lipomas are generally small, benign, tumor-like masses, mostly composed of fatty tissue, and can be found in various regions of the body, including the abdomen. While they are commonly observed on the neck, shoulders, back, chest, and abdomen, lipomas can occur anywhere on the body.
Lipomas are usually palpable beneath the skin, appearing as visible masses filled with lobules of fat and surrounded by a thin capsule. They are typically painless and benign, meaning they do not contain cancer cells. In some cases, these fatty lumps can grow to significant sizes. Although they may cause aesthetic concerns, they can also exert pressure on surrounding tissues, causing discomfort. In such cases, surgical intervention may be planned.
While lipomas are generally considered benign tumors, they do not pose a serious health problem beyond the aesthetic discomfort experienced by patients. However, lipomas that grow rapidly, cause deformities, create pain, elicit tenderness, or exhibit a tendency to harden can be significant and may require surgical intervention.
Although lipomas are commonly seen in areas such as the hairy skin, back, and abdomen, they can occur anywhere on the body. Lipomas, characterized by their soft nature, are usually described as smooth-surfaced, soft, and movable masses when felt by hand.
Although lipomas can occur in all age groups, they are rare in children. While lipomas are typically painless, their ability to cause pain may lead to surgical removal. As with any cell, lipoma cells have a tendency to proliferate, leading to the development of large lipomas. In such cases, removal of the lipomas is recommended. Every removed lipoma should undergo pathological examination. Generally, small lipomas do not require treatment."
The most common symptom observed in lipomas is a palpable lump that can be felt beneath the skin. This subcutaneous lump can remain stable or show a tendency to grow. In areas where the skin is thin, such as the face, lipomas may appear more prominent, while lipomas on the back and abdomen are often softer, movable, and oval or round lumps that can be easily felt by hand. They can grow to significant sizes. Lipomas are generally painless and exhibit a slow-growing tendency.
They can remain the same size for many years. If they grow and exert pressure on surrounding tissues, they may cause pain. Additionally, lipomas that are not felt can be detected through ultrasound for other reasons. However, the majority of lipomas are accurately diagnosed through physical examination, and they can be easily removed with local anesthesia through a simple surgical intervention, after which they are sent for pathological examination, and patients can return to their normal daily activities on the same day.
If lipomas are subjected to trauma, they can become infected, causing pain, redness, and potentially growing to the skin's surface with inflammatory discharge. If a lipoma causes pain, becomes infected, or rapidly grows, surgical removal may be necessary. Lipomas are generally located beneath the skin. When they reach significant sizes, they can cause redness by compressing the blood vessels on the skin surface. This compression can sometimes create a folded appearance beneath the skin."
The exact reasons for the formation of a lipoma are not fully understood, but it tends to be more common in those with a family history (due to genetic factors). While it can occur at any age, lipomas typically emerge after the age of 40. They are observed in both genders, but are more commonly seen in women. Obesity can also trigger the formation of lipomas. They can occur after trauma, and in some cases, may manifest as fat necrosis following trauma. When fat necrosis occurs, it cannot be distinguished through examination and imaging methods, and surgical intervention is required.
In advanced age, lipomas are more frequently observed in individuals with nutritional disorders, certain illnesses, and those with elevated blood lipid levels. Regardless of the cause, since lipomas are generally benign lesions, lipomas that do not cause complaints can be monitored. However, lipomas causing pain, infection, redness, rapid growth, or significant aesthetic issues should be surgically removed."
Lipomas are classified into benign and malignant categories. Benign ones are mostly found on the trunk and extremities. They have a light yellow color and a slightly firm texture. Since they are benign, it is recommended to monitor them as long as they do not reach significant sizes.
Malignant lipomas are masses that result from the malignancy of adipose tissue (liposarcoma). These rare tumors should be surgically removed once detected or suspected. In addition to these, there are smaller lipomas, typically found around the eyes.
Simple lipoma is the most common type of lipoma. It is located beneath the skin, usually soft, movable, and oval or round in shape. Congenital lipoma is a lipoma that is present from birth. It is generally small and often does not require intervention."
Lipomas that are visible to the naked eye can typically be diagnosed through a physical examination conducted by doctors. These types of lipomas are often identified as oval or round, with smooth surfaces, movable, and painless masses. If there is suspicion of another mass outside of the lipoma after the doctor's examination, imaging methods such as ultrasound, MRI, or computed tomography may be used to confirm the presence of the lipoma and differentiate it from other diseases. These methods help evaluate the size, location, and effects of lipomas on surrounding tissues."
The majority of lipomas, which are generally benign, can be considered an aesthetic problem for patients when they are detected in visible areas of the body. Lipomas on the back and abdomen, however, are surgically removed either due to causing pain by exerting pressure on surrounding tissues as they grow or because of infection following trauma. Lipoma surgery in Ankara is performed under local anesthesia at our clinic. Generally, there is no need for an operating room or general anesthesia for this procedure.
In a clinic setting, the patient undergoes a simple operation under local anesthesia, where they do not feel any pain. The procedure is quick, and the patient can comfortably return to their daily life after the operation. The lipoma removed after the surgery is always sent for pathological examination."
The prices for lipoma removal vary depending on the size, location, and depth of the lipoma, as well as the ease or difficulty of the procedure.
Squeezing sebaceous cysts should be avoided as they are generally small, harmless, and benign unless they cause aesthetic concerns. If individuals attempt to squeeze sebaceous cysts, excessive manual intervention can lead to infection, resulting in redness, pain, and abscess formation. This may necessitate surgical removal of the cyst, especially if it evolves into a condition requiring attention.
Squeezing a sebaceous cyst can lead to a problem known as fat necrosis, where the pressure applied crushes the fat cells within the cyst. In such cases, it becomes necessary to remove the sebaceous cyst surgically.
After surgical intervention to remove sebaceous cysts, the likelihood of recurrence is rare, but there is still a possibility of regrowth. The removal of sebaceous cysts does not guarantee prevention of new cyst formation. In essence, just because a lipoma has been removed from one location doesn't mean that another lipoma, either the same or different, cannot develop later on.
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Prof. Dr. Sezai AydınGeneral Surgery Turkey
PROF. DR. SEZAI AYDIN
