Do lipomas need surgery?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 17, 2024
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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
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Do lipomas require hospitalization?

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
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Lipoma CT presentation

Lipomas are relatively common clinically and are one of the more frequent types of superficial tumors, commonly occurring on the limbs and trunk. Generally, a physical examination and ultrasound are sufficient for an accurate diagnosis of a lipoma, and there is no need for the patient to undergo a CT scan. However, if a CT scan is performed, lipomas can present in the following ways: first, a regular or lobulated mass may be found under the skin with sparse blood flow and a regular shape; second, on a CT scan, lipomas appear as low-density lesions, with CT values typically ranging between -70 HU to -90 HU. Diagnosis of a lipoma can be confirmed through these two observations.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Will the removal of a lipoma leave a scar?

The removal of a lipoma generally does not significantly affect wound recovery, as the incision for a lipoma is a clean cut with no infection or contamination. However, some patients may develop significant scarring not due to infection but due to their scar-prone nature. Over time, the scarring from such cuts does not decrease in these patients, and corrective cosmetic surgery might be necessary to address the prominent scars. Therefore, it is important to consult with patients before lipoma surgery to determine if they are prone to scarring. If not, normal lipoma removal does not usually leave noticeable scars.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Do lipomas grow?

Lipoma is a type of tumor on the surface of the body, which is relatively common in clinical practice and often occurs in the limbs and trunk. After the development of a lipoma, a mass generally appears under the skin; the mass is tough and lobulated or flat, and the surface skin remains intact, which can be used to diagnose a lipoma. Once a lipoma develops, it may grow larger, but the growth rate is generally slow, and there are usually no obvious clinical symptoms. If a patient notices that the lipoma is enlarging, surgical removal can be considered.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Do lipomas infect other people?

Lipomas are non-contagious and are tumorous formations of normal fatty tissue, often found in the limbs and trunk. They generally have clear boundaries, are soft in texture, and may feel cystic without causing pain. Lipomas grow slowly and can sometimes become very large. For most lipomas, observation is sufficient, and diagnosis can be confirmed through ultrasonography. Most patients do not require surgical treatment. However, if there is suspicion of malignancy in deeper lipomas, timely surgical removal is necessary. For lipomas that grow rapidly, cause symptoms, or affect appearance, early surgical intervention is also recommended. If pathology confirms the diagnosis, some lipomas may be liposarcomas. Most can be assessed for risk, and further treatment might be needed.