Is surgery recommended for lipomas?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on April 10, 2025
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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 Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Are lipomas contagious?

Lipomas are surface tumors caused by the proliferation of subcutaneous tissues. They are benign tumors, not bacterial infections or contagious diseases. Therefore, lipomas are not contagious. Patients with lipomas can normally interact with other people without causing the spread of lipomas among the population, which is nothing to worry about. After the occurrence of a lipoma, it can be surgically removed. Generally, a lipoma can be completely excised under local anesthesia, and after the wound is sutured, the lipoma is cured.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
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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.

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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 Ma Xian Shi
General Surgery
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Is lipoma serious?

Lipoma is a common disease in clinical practice, and it is generally not very serious, so there is no need for excessive worry. A lipoma is a tumor-like mass of normal tissue, commonly found on the trunk and limbs of the body. It has a clear boundary and is lobulated, soft, and may feel like a false cyst, painless, and grows slowly. Some can be quite large. Deep lipomas that might turn malignant should be removed promptly. Generally speaking, lipomas only require surgical treatment if there is suspicion of malignancy, if the tumor is large enough to affect daily life or aesthetics, or if malignancy is suspected.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Can lipomas be treated with moxibustion?

Lipomas are relatively common subcutaneous tumors that often occur on the limbs and trunk. They consist of fatty tissue and generally do not present clinical symptoms. Patients with lipomas can undergo moxibustion treatment, a traditional Chinese medical practice that is beneficial for health. However, moxibustion does not treat lipomas, and it does not cause lipomas to shrink or disappear. Clinically, the only way to remove a lipoma is through surgical excision.