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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Lipoma|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Lipoma|here]]'''
{{Lipoma (patient information)}}
{{Lipoma (patient information)}}
 
{{CMG}} {{AE}} Jinhui Wu, M.D. {{Sahar}}
{{CMG}} {{AE}} Jinhui Wu, M.D.
 
==Overview==
==Overview==
Lipomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that come from fat cells and grow under the skin. They are usually soft, round and moveable lumps. Lipomas can occur at any age, but they are most common during middle age from 40 to 60 years old. Because lipomas are benign and harmless, treatment generally isn't necessary. But if the lipoma is in a bothersome location, is painful, or is growing, you should seek to see your doctor to remove it away.
Lipomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that come from fat cells and grow under the skin. They are usually soft, round and moveable lumps. Lipomas can occur at any age, but they are most common during middle age from 40 to 60 years old. Because lipomas are benign and harmless, treatment generally isn't necessary. But if the lipoma is in a bothersome location, is painful, or is growing, it should be removed.
 
==What are the symptoms of Lipoma?==
==What are the symptoms of Lipoma?==
Usually a lipoma has been growing for years before you notice it. And it is common to have more than one. If you notice a lump or swelling anywhere on your body, you should have it checked by your family doctor. The usual symptoms of lipoma are the following:
*Lipoma is usually asymptomatic. However, it may be painful.  
 
*Lipomas are often located under the skin. They often affect the neck, shoulders, back, arms and thighs.
*Location: The lumps of lipomas is often located under the skin. They often occur in the neck, shoulders, back, arms and thighs.
*They are usually less than 2 inches or 5 centimeters in diameter. Large lipomas are usually less than 10 cm.
 
*Size: Most lipomas are small, usually less than 2 inches or 5 centimeters in diameter. When they grow large, the size can reach more than 4 inches or 10 centimeters.
 
*Feel: A lipoma feels soft and doughy, and moves easily with slight finger pressure. These are important characteristics different from lumps of cancer.
 
*[[Pain]]: When lipomas grow and press on nearby nerves or they contain many blood vessels, they may be painful.
 
==Who is at highest risk?==
==Who is at highest risk?==
The exact cause of lipomas isn't clear. Studies suggest the following factors may involve in the development of lipoma.
*The exact cause of lipomas is not clear. Studies suggest injury may help the development of lipoma.  
 
*Genetic factors likely play a role in the development of lipomas.
*Injury: Sometimes lipomas are detected after an injury. Some doctors report minor injuries may be a trigger of the growth of a lipoma.
 
*Genetic factor: Because lipomas also tend to run in families, genetic factors likely play a role in their development.
 
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
*Diagnosis is usually made clinically and by physical examination of the lump.
*Physical examination: Usually, a doctor can make a diagnosis by physical examination of the lump.  
*Physical examination: Usually, a doctor can make a diagnosis by physical examination of the lump.  
 
*Biopsy of the lump may be needed when:
*[[Biopsy]]: If there is any doubt, a needle biopsy need to do to detect whether the lump is benign or cancerous.  
** There is a doubt in the diagnosis.
 
** The lump grows rapidly.
*CT scan: Sometimes a CT scan also need to do if your doctor suspects liposarcoma.
*Imaging studies such as ultrasound and/or CT scan may also be used if liposarcoma (malignant form of lipoma) is suspected.
 
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
A lipoma is rarely a serious medical condition. But if you notice a lump or swelling anywhere on your body, you'd better make it checked by your doctor.
*A lipoma is rarely a serious medical condition. However, a rapidly growing mass needs further evaluations.
 
==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
Usually no treatment is necessary for a lipoma unless the tumor becomes painful or restricts movement. Lipoma treatments include:
*Treatment options for lipoma include:
 
**Surgical excision
*Surgical excision: This is the main measure for treating lipomas. After removal recurrences are 1~2%.
**Deoxycholate injections
 
**Liposuction
*Steroid injections: This treatment can only shrink the lipoma  but can not completely eliminate the lump.
 
*Liposuction: This is a method to remove the lipomas without scarring. The doctor uses a needle and a large syringe to remove the fatty tissue.
 
==Diseases with similar symptoms==
==Diseases with similar symptoms==
*[[Liposarcoma]]
*[[Liposarcoma]]
*[[Neurofibroma]]
*[[Neurofibroma]]
==Where to find medical care for Lipoma?==
==Where to find medical care for Lipoma?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|lipoma}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating lipoma]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|lipoma}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating lipoma]
==Prevention of Lipoma==
==Prevention of Lipoma==
For the exact cause of lipomas is not very clear, there is no effective method to prevent it. According to possible risk factors of lipoma, the following measures may be helpful.
For the exact cause of lipomas is not very clear, there is no effective method to prevent it. According to possible risk factors of lipoma, the following measures may be helpful.
*Avoidance injury
*Avoidance injury
 
*Screen test of HMG I-C gene for people with a family history of mesenchymal tumors and familial multiple lipomatosis.
*Screen test of HMG I-C gene for people with family history of mesenchymal tumors and familial multiple lipomatosis.
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
 
*The outlook of lipoma is always good.  
==What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?==
The outlook of lipoma is always good. Usually most lipomas will not transform into liposarcomas.
 
==Sources==
 
[http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/763.html Familydoctor.org]
 
[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lipoma/ds00634 Mayoclinic]
 
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoma Wikipedia]
 
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[[Category:Endocrinology]]
[[Category:Endocrinology]]

Revision as of 22:11, 12 November 2019

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Lipoma

Overview

What are the symptoms?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Diseases with similar symptoms

Where to find medical care for Lipoma?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Lipoma On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Lipoma

Videos on Lipoma

FDA on Lipoma

CDC on Lipoma

Lipoma in the news

Blogs on Lipoma

Directions to Hospitals Treating Lipoma

Risk calculators and risk factors for Lipoma

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D. Sahar Memar Montazerin, M.D.[2]

Overview

Lipomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that come from fat cells and grow under the skin. They are usually soft, round and moveable lumps. Lipomas can occur at any age, but they are most common during middle age from 40 to 60 years old. Because lipomas are benign and harmless, treatment generally isn't necessary. But if the lipoma is in a bothersome location, is painful, or is growing, it should be removed.

What are the symptoms of Lipoma?

  • Lipoma is usually asymptomatic. However, it may be painful.
  • Lipomas are often located under the skin. They often affect the neck, shoulders, back, arms and thighs.
  • They are usually less than 2 inches or 5 centimeters in diameter. Large lipomas are usually less than 10 cm.

Who is at highest risk?

  • The exact cause of lipomas is not clear. Studies suggest injury may help the development of lipoma.
  • Genetic factors likely play a role in the development of lipomas.

Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis is usually made clinically and by physical examination of the lump.
  • Physical examination: Usually, a doctor can make a diagnosis by physical examination of the lump.
  • Biopsy of the lump may be needed when:
    • There is a doubt in the diagnosis.
    • The lump grows rapidly.
  • Imaging studies such as ultrasound and/or CT scan may also be used if liposarcoma (malignant form of lipoma) is suspected.

When to seek urgent medical care?

  • A lipoma is rarely a serious medical condition. However, a rapidly growing mass needs further evaluations.

Treatment options

  • Treatment options for lipoma include:
    • Surgical excision
    • Deoxycholate injections
    • Liposuction

Diseases with similar symptoms

Where to find medical care for Lipoma?

Directions to Hospitals Treating lipoma

Prevention of Lipoma

For the exact cause of lipomas is not very clear, there is no effective method to prevent it. According to possible risk factors of lipoma, the following measures may be helpful.

  • Avoidance injury
  • Screen test of HMG I-C gene for people with a family history of mesenchymal tumors and familial multiple lipomatosis.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

  • The outlook of lipoma is always good.