How is lipoma treated?

Written by Ma Xian Shi
General Surgery
Updated on April 03, 2025
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Lipoma is a common disease in our clinical practice. Most lipoma patients have a benign tumor, which is a tumorous mass of normal fatty tissue, commonly found on the limbs and trunk, with clear boundaries, lobulated, soft in texture, possibly pseudo-cystic, painless, slow-growing, and some may be very large. For deep lipomas that may have the potential for malignancy, timely surgical removal is necessary. For small lipomas, we generally observe them periodically. If the tumor is large and affects normal life or aesthetics, surgical removal can be considered. For deep lipomas, where there is a suspicion of malignant transformation, timely surgery is advisable for treatment.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Can lipomas be massaged?

Lipomas are relatively common surface tumors, commonly found on the limbs and trunk. Composed of adipose tissue and located subcutaneously, it is advised against massaging a lipoma. First, massaging a lipoma will not cause it to dissipate. Secondly, prolonged massaging of a lipoma might lead to stimulation and possibly to gradual growth of the tumor. Clinically, lipomas can be treated surgically, which is relatively straightforward to perform under local anesthesia by excising the lipoma, thus curing it.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Is a lipoma okay?

Lipomas are a type of tumor on the surface of the body and are benign. Patients generally do not exhibit significant clinical symptoms but might feel occasional, localized pain. Lipomas can gradually grow larger, and although rare, there is a possibility of malignancy if a lipoma persists over a long period. If a patient experiences pain or the lipoma is relatively large, it is recommended to undergo surgical treatment. Clinically, lipomas can be removed under local anesthesia, which is a minor and safe procedure, effectively curing the lipoma.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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What should I do about a lipoma?

Lipomas are superficial tumors that belong to benign tumors. They occur due to the proliferation of subcutaneous fatty tissue. A B-ultrasound examination is required for confirming the diagnosis of a lipoma. If the patient shows no significant clinical symptoms and the tumor is relatively small, it is generally advisable to schedule regular check-ups; medications, massage, or physiotherapy are all ineffective. If the lipoma is relatively large, or if the patient experiences localized pain, surgical removal can be considered, which can be done under local anesthesia.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Symptoms of lipoma

Lipomas are common in clinical settings and often occur on the limbs and trunk. Lipomas are benign tumors, and their clinical manifestations are primarily subcutaneous, presenting as a flat, irregular, or lobulated mass. The surface of these masses does not show redness or rupture, and they can generally be moved. Lipomas have a firm or soft texture. These are the most typical clinical manifestations of lipomas. Some patients may experience localized discomfort, and surgery can be performed to remove the lipoma after it has developed.

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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.