Soft tissue tumors are usually a non-threatening group of soft tissue tumors in adults, commonly known as lipomas. These are benign fatty growths, can be found as an incidental finding during physical examination or can be palpated as soft lumps under the skin.

Understanding it, how it is created, and when it needs to be evaluated by a physician, could help alleviate any anxiety related to these types of tumors, and provide guidance on how to properly manage your health. This information will provide you with the necessary understanding of lipomas to allow you to act confidently in determining their causes, signs / symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures.

What Is a Lipoma?

Lipomas are soft, non-cancerous tumors that consist of mature fat cells. They are found beneath the skin and form slowly over time, generally being located between the skin and muscle layers. Most lipomas or fatty tumors can be moved around when touched, and feel soft to the touch. They are typically painless for the vast majority of people who have them.

They happen almost everywhere in your body where you have fatty tissue, but usually occur in these places:

  • Neck
  • Shoulders
  • Back
  • Arms
  • Thighs
  • Abdomen

Lipomas are usually small, typically less than 5 cm (2 inches) across. However, rare types may be larger than 5 cm (2 inches).

Most types don’t have any type of negative effect on your health. Most people with lipomas will live with them for many years without needing any type of treatment.

How Often Do People Experience them?

The occurrence in an individual basis is a common finding in the general population. Medical professionals have estimated that approximately 1 in every 1,000 people will develop a lipoma at some time during their life.

Adult men and women, ages 40 to 60 years, are where they typically are found; however, anyone, regardless of age, can develop a lipoma. A review of many studies shows that while both male and females develop lipomas, some studies suggest that males develop slightly more than females.

Some people have multiple lipomas known as multiple lipomatosis.

Possible Causes of Lipomata

There is no definitive answer on the causes. However, there are multiple theories put forth by researchers as to why these tumors form.

1. Genetic Heredity

Genetic heredity is a very strong factor. If multiple family members have lipomas, then it increases your chances of developing them. However, there are also several genetic disorders that are linked to developing more than just one lipoma.

2. Minor Injuries

In some instances after experiencing a minor injury, a lipoma will develop in that area. So for example, a person who frequently injures their shoulder may have a higher risk of developing them on that shoulder due to multiple minor injuries.

As a result, while the injury itself is not a direct cause, it may cause abnormal growth of fat cells in individuals who are predisposed to developing them.

3. Age

These are most commonly found in middle-aged individuals. The aging process alters a number of cellular processes, which could play a role in the growth of adipose tissue.

4. Medical Conditions

There are also several medical conditions that could increase an individual’s chances of developing multiple lipomas. These are very rare conditions that would not occur in the general population:

These diseases lead to abnormal amounts of fat being formed usually in multiple locations throughout the body.

Symptoms of a Lipoma

Lipomas are recognizable masses due to their distinct look.

Typical symptoms include:

  • A soft lump in the skin
  • Growing slowly
  • Movable at touch
  • Usually not causing pain
  • Duck or rubbery in feel or shape

Most lipomas will range in size from 1 – 3 centimetres or more, however some will continue to grow.

Generally speaking, they will be pain free, however a lipoma may cause discomfort if they are pushing on nearby nerves or are vascular in nature (have a number of blood vessels within them).

What Are the Most Frequent Locations for Lipomas?

Although lipomas can occur on multiple parts of the human body, there are locations that have a higher prevalence than others.

Common locations include:

  • Back and shoulders: Lipomas also referred as fatty tumor; are commonly found on the back and shoulders as the areas are prone to accumulating fat tissue.
  • Neck: It can also occur on the neck, and typically occur on the back or side.
  • Arms and thighs: They are frequently found on the upper arms and upper legs.
  • Abdomen: They are frequently found on the upper arms and upper legs.

While not as frequently encountered, they have also been reported to develop in deeper internal tissues such as muscle, organs and joints.

Are Lipomas Dangerous?

Most lipomas aren’t a threat. These are considered benign tumors and do not move into other areas of one’s body. It is important to tell the difference between a lipoma and other types of lumps. In early development, a rare cancer called liposarcoma could have a similar appearance.

Some other differences between lipomas and liposarcomas include:

  • Grow rapidly
  • Being harder
  • Cause pain
  • Existing deeper than normal in tissue

You should see a healthcare professional to find the correct diagnosis for any unusual lump.

What Is the Procedure for Diagnosing?

Diagnosis usually is based on the Doctor’s findings from a physical examination, which can provide good information such as size, shape, feel, movement and position. Sometimes, however, further examination will be required to confirm the diagnosis.

Imaging Tests

If the lump is large, painful, or located deeply in tissue, your doctor may suggest an imaging study; imaging studies include:

  • Ultrasound
  • CT scan
  • MRI scan

These tests will assist the doctor in determining the exact configuration of the lump as well as its depth.

Biopsy

In extremely rare cases, your doctor may perform a biopsy, which is a procedure in which a small portion of tissue is removed from the lump so that it may be studied in a laboratory. A biopsy helps to rule out other conditions, like malignant tumors.

Treatment Options available

Treatment depends on a number of factors, but generally treatment may not be required unless it is causing discomfort, is unsightly, or is affecting physical performance in any way.

Surgical excision of the lump

The best method of treating is through surgical removal. The surgeon removes the fatty tissue from the body with a small incision.

After the procedure, the surgeon will remove the fatty tumor from the body permanently, and recurrence of lipomas are rare following surgical excision.

Suction Lipectomy

Suction lipectomy may also be an option for some lipomas. In this case, a small tube is inserted into the fatty tissue and the fat cells are removed through the small tube.

Injection of corticosteroid agents

Administering corticosteroid agents into a lipoma has been shown to decrease the size, but does not completely remove the lipoma.

When Do You Need to Generally Talk to Your Doctor?

Most lipomas are harmless, but any abnormal lump, or lumps, that you notice warrants a visit with your doctor. Some additional signs that you should contact your doctor are that the lump.

  • Rapidly gets bigger
  • Becomes extremely painful
  • Changes texture (smooth, knobby, lumpy)
  • Becomes solid or does not move when you touch it
  • You get a sudden number of lumps

If evaluated early, you will know that your lumps are non-cancerous and that they are not part of a larger problem.

Is There Any Way to Prevent Lipomas?

Currently, preventing the fatty tumor development is impossible to do at this point due to multiple contributing factors, mainly genetics. Therefore, making positive lifestyle changes may not sufficiently reduce the likelihood of developing them.

  • Eating healthily
  • Exercising regularly
  • Controlling your body weight
  • Attending regular medical Check-ups

In addition to these three habits, you should also see your doctor on a regular basis to ensure that you are in good health, as the same applies with this fatty tumor development by detecting any abnormal growths as early as possible.

Living With a Lipoma

Many people having them have not had significant problems from them. Most fatty tumors remain stable and will not affect how someone lives their life.

Some people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons, especially if it is located in a visible area, such as the neck or arms.

If this fatty tumor does not cause pain or have complications, the doctor will normally tell you to just keep an eye on it over time.

The most prevalent type of benign tumours are lipomas, which consist of fatty tissue. They are not usually dangerous and because they develop beneath skin, there is no pain associated with them. These lumps typically feel softer to the touch than other types of masses and can be moved through manipulation or pressure. While they may appear to present an immediate concern, they do not increase your chances of developing a malignant tumour. It is generally not treated unless it is producing discomfort or an appearance problem for you, the person with the tumour.

When you learn what causes lipomas, the signs and symptoms associated with lipomas and possible treatment options, you will be in a better position to make sound decisions regarding the health of your body. If you experience any unusual lumps or changes in your body’s shape and appearance, you should seek medical help immediately for further investigation.

The greatest way to ensure that you keep safe and healthy is to get regular health check-ups and take action when you notice any differences in how your body looks or feels.

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