Do lipomas require hospitalization?

Written by Liu Huan Huan

General Surgery

Updated on September 26, 2024

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Lipomas belong to superficial tumors and are categorized as benign. They are caused by the proliferation of subcutaneous adipose tissue. If treatment is desired, surgery is an option. Medication or other treatments are ineffective. If the lipoma is small, it can be surgically removed in an outpatient setting, typically under local anesthesia. For a larger lipoma, it is recommended that the patient be hospitalized for surgery, which involves intravenous anesthesia combined with local anesthesia to remove the lipoma.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan

General Surgery

38sec

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What should I do about a lipoma?

Lipomas are superficial tumors that belong to benign tumors. They occur due to the proliferation of subcutaneous fatty tissue. A B-ultrasound examination is required for confirming the diagnosis of a lipoma. If the patient shows no significant clinical symptoms and the tumor is relatively small, it is generally advisable to schedule regular check-ups; medications, massage, or physiotherapy are all ineffective. If the lipoma is relatively large, or if the patient experiences localized pain, surgical removal can be considered, which can be done under local anesthesia.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

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Do lipomas need surgery?

Lipomas do not necessarily require surgical treatment. They can occur in various parts of the body and are usually characterized by good mobility, a complete capsule, no tenderness, a firm texture, and mostly clear boundaries. They often present no clinical symptoms and are found incidentally. Diagnosis can be confirmed through ultrasonography. In most cases, patients only need follow-up observation. However, for lipomas in special locations, if they affect appearance or grow rapidly causing symptoms, surgical treatment may be considered. After a complete excision, pathological examination is necessary because a very small number of cases may turn out to be liposarcomas, which might require further treatment.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan

General Surgery

35sec

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Symptoms of lipoma

Lipomas are common in clinical settings and often occur on the limbs and trunk. Lipomas are benign tumors, and their clinical manifestations are primarily subcutaneous, presenting as a flat, irregular, or lobulated mass. The surface of these masses does not show redness or rupture, and they can generally be moved. Lipomas have a firm or soft texture. These are the most typical clinical manifestations of lipomas. Some patients may experience localized discomfort, and surgery can be performed to remove the lipoma after it has developed.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

58sec

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Is surgery recommended for lipomas?

Whether lipomas need surgical treatment often depends on the location, size of the lipoma, and whether it causes related clinical symptoms. If the lipoma grows too fast during observation, is in a special location, or severely affects appearance, surgical treatment can be considered. Alternatively, if the lipoma shows evident symptoms like localized redness, pain, surface itchiness, and uneven surfaces, timely color ultrasound re-examination should be done as malignancy cannot be ruled out, and timely surgical removal and biopsy are necessary. Thirdly, if the lipoma grows too quickly and causes compression symptoms, damaging other organs, surgical treatment should also be considered. Generally, lipomas are benign lesions, but there is also a possibility that they could develop into liposarcomas, which should be confirmed based on postoperative biopsy.

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Written by Tang Da Wei

General Surgery

36sec

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Can lipomas be massaged?

Lipomas should not be massaged. They form from abnormal hyperplasia in the subcutaneous fat tissue of the patient, presenting as localized nodules or lumps with clear boundaries and usually painless when pressed. Lipomas can be solitary or multiple. If the lipoma is small, close follow-up is sufficient; massaging or local stimulation is generally not recommended. Massaging or stimulating the area can potentially lead to an increase in the size of the lipoma, and it may provoke pain and other complications. In severe cases, it can cause the lipoma to become malignant.