Do lipomas grow?

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on January 24, 2025
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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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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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What is a lipoma?

Lipoma is a type of benign tumor, classified as a superficial disorder. Its tissue is composed of fatty tissue. Patients often develop a lump under the skin, which has clear boundaries and the skin surface does not show swelling or ulceration. Generally, the lump is lobular or flat in shape. Since lipoma is a benign tumor, it can typically be managed by regular check-ups. If the lipoma is relatively large, or if there is localized concealed pain, surgical removal can be performed under local anesthesia.

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Can lipomas disappear?

Lipomas generally do not disappear on their own. They form due to abnormal or excessive growth in the subcutaneous fat, presenting as localized lumps with an outer membrane encapsulating them. Lipomas are typically soft with high mobility and well-defined borders. Small lipomas usually do not require surgical treatment; close monitoring to check for changes in size is sufficient. However, if a lipoma is large, causes local compression symptoms, or pain, surgical removal may be considered.

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Can people with lipomas eat eggs?

Patients with lipomas can eat eggs; eating eggs does not affect lipomas. In daily life, it is best to avoid overly greasy food and to participate in sports activities. If overweight, it is necessary to begin weight loss soon to prevent excessive subcutaneous fat accumulation, which can lead to the formation of lipomas. If a lipoma is quite large, it can be surgically removed at a local hospital.