How is a lipoma treated?

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Lipomas are commonly seen in clinical practice and are a type of superficial tumor that are benign. They frequently occur on the limbs and trunk. Lipomas are located subcutaneously and are composed of fatty tissue. If the lipoma is small and the patient does not exhibit any significant clinical symptoms, conservative observation can be adopted as a treatment method. If the lipoma is relatively large, grows rapidly, or is accompanied by concealed pain, surgical treatment can be considered. Clinically, lipomas can be excised under local anesthesia; medication or massage are both ineffective.

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Treatment of Lipoma

Lipomas are a common type of benign tumor that we see clinically. Most cases are benign, and malignant transformation is very rare. Lipomas consist of normal, fatty-like tissue and primarily occur on the limbs and trunk. They have clear boundaries, are lobulated in appearance, soft in texture, and may feel like a false cyst. They are painless and grow slowly. Some can grow very large, and deep-seated ones may undergo malignant transformation and should be treated surgically in a timely manner. In terms of treatment for lipomas, medication is ineffective. Small lipomas can be monitored periodically. If a lipoma is large, affects daily life or aesthetics, or is a deep-seated lipoma that might become malignant, surgical treatment is required.

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Lipoma outpatient or hospitalization

Lipomas are relatively superficial and clinically classified as surface tumors, typically located beneath the skin. Clinically, lipoma surgeries can generally be conducted in an outpatient setting, performed under local anesthesia. However, this is not absolute. Some lipomas are larger, and performing the surgery under local anesthesia can be very painful for the patient, complicating the complete removal of the lipoma and affecting surgical operations. In such cases, hospitalization and surgery under intravenous anesthesia are generally recommended, as this allows for better patient cooperation and the thorough removal of the lipoma.

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Written by Zhang Peng
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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
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What should I do if my lipoma bursts?

Lipoma is a type of tumor on the body surface, commonly found in the limbs and subcutaneous areas. It generally presents as a mass under the skin, which is lobulated or flat in shape, with no swelling or redness on the surface skin. Clinically, once a lipoma is diagnosed, surgical removal can be considered. If the lipoma's capsule breaks during surgery and the lipoma is damaged, there is no need for particular concern. It is only necessary to completely remove the lipoma, as it is composed of fatty tissue, the same as the normal subcutaneous tissue, and does not lead to serious consequences.

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Do lipomas hurt when pressed?

For most lipomas, there is no pain when pressed. Lipomas are formed due to excessive proliferation of subcutaneous fat, with clear boundaries and very good mobility, and there is no pain upon pressing. If the lipoma is small or there are multiple lipomas, there is no need for excessive attention or surgical treatment in everyday life. Of course, excessive massaging or rubbing should be avoided. If pain occurs when pressing the lipoma, or if the lipoma is relatively large and grows significantly in a short period, surgical removal should be considered. Generally, the lipoma can be completely removed under local anesthesia.