CHECK-UP:Lipomas are not a form of cancer and very rarely become cancerous
I RECENTLY discovered a lump on my shoulder and went to my GP as I was concerned it might be cancer. But when he examined it he said it was a lipoma. What is this?
The word "lipoma" comes from the Greek word lipos meaning fat. A lipoma is simply a deposit of fatty material that develops under the skin producing an oval or round lump. They typically present as smooth, dome-shaped structures that can be felt just under the skin. The skin looks quite normal and can be moved easily over the lump.
Lipomas can range from the size of a pea upwards but rarely grow to more than 10cm in diameter. They can develop anywhere on the body but are more common on the back of the neck, shoulders, chest and back.
Very rarely they can develop inside the body but they tend not to cause problems and may be discovered only as part of investigations or tests for an unrelated illness.
While most people develop one or two, others may develop a number of them in several locations. It is a common condition estimated to affect about one in every 100 people. It can develop at any age but is thought to be more common in women than in men.
Are they a form of cancer?
Lipomas are not a form of cancer and very rarely become cancerous, so you should not worry unduly. They do not usually cause problems or symptoms unless situated near a nerve, when they can press up against it, causing pain.
Lipomas have a very familiar look and doctors can easily diagnose them without the need for special tests. If, however, the lipoma changes in any respect, you should see your doctor as he may wish to perform a biopsy and send a sample of the tissue for microscopic examination.
Although it's not causing me any discomfort, I don't like the look of it and was wondering about having it removed.
As long as a lipoma is not bothering you then it's best left alone. However, if it is pressing on another structure or you wish to have it removed for cosmetic reasons, this can be done as a relatively minor surgical procedure. Once local anaesthetic has been injected into the skin around the lipoma to numb the area, a small incision will be made over it enabling the doctor to carefully cut it away from the structures to which it is attached. The small wound will then be closed with sutures.