Can lipomas disappear?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on November 29, 2024
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Lipomas generally do not disappear on their own, and currently the only effective treatment for subcutaneous lipomas is surgical removal. However, lipomas are typically managed with an observational approach in clinical settings. Regular ultrasound checks can be scheduled to assess the growth rate of the lipoma and monitor any clinical symptoms it may cause. Observation is mainly employed because lipomas rarely turn malignant and because lipomas, especially those on the body's surface, often appear as multiple lesions. Complete removal can lead to surgical scars, affecting the appearance. Most lipomas grow slowly, often remaining asymptomatic under one centimeter, requiring no special treatment. During follow-up, if the growth rate is unusually rapid, malignancy cannot be ruled out, and surgical removal should be considered.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Symptoms of Lipoma

Lipomas are considered superficial tumors, often caused by proliferation of subcutaneous fat. When lipomas occur, patients may feel localized pain, but most patients do not have significant pain symptoms. Instead, a mass appears under the skin, which typically presents as lobulated, can be moved, and has a smooth surface. The consistency is either relatively firm or soft. These are typical clinical manifestations of lipomas. Clinically, an ultrasound examination is needed to assist in the diagnosis, and surgical removal is recommended after diagnosis.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
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Do lipomas need to be treated?

Whether a lipoma needs treatment depends on its location, size, shape, and presence of symptoms. If the lipoma is small and symptom-free, it generally does not require treatment. Lipomas are benign lesions formed by abnormal growth of subcutaneous fat and rarely become cancerous. However, if the lipoma is large, causing compressive symptoms, or noticeably growing fast over a short period, along with local pain, it should be considered for complete excision under local anesthesia. After removal, it is generally necessary to send the specimen for pathological examination, and depending on the situation, decide whether to place a drainage tube at the wound site.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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What should I do if my lipoma hurts?

Lipomas are relatively common in clinical settings and are benign tumors on the body surface, often found on the limbs and trunk. Generally, they don't cause obvious clinical symptoms except for the appearance of a lump under the skin. The lump is usually flat, and the skin surface remains intact, though this is not absolute. Some patients may experience pain in the lipoma, particularly when lipomas appear symmetrically on the limbs, causing localized pain. In such cases, surgical treatment is recommended, which can be performed under local anesthesia to remove the lipoma and alleviate the pain.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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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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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.