Lumps & Bumps Removal

What is a Lipoma and What is its Risk of Malignancy?

A lipoma is a benign tumor that grows from the fatty tissue in the body. Lipomas are often found in the arms and legs, but they can also grow on other parts of the body like the back, neck, or chest.

The cause of lipomas is not well understood, but they typically form in families. They can appear during periods of weight gain or weight loss. They can be found anywhere in the body but most often occur in the neck, armpits, and groin. Read more about lumps and bumps here.

There are two types of lipoma: solitary and multiple. Multiple lipomas are more common than solitary ones and can be diagnosed by a doctor through a physical examination or by taking a sample for biopsy.  Lipomas are not cancerous and they rarely turn into cancerous tumors.

The key to Diagnosis of Lipomas 

The key to diagnosis of lipomas is understanding the symptoms and then looking for the causes of those symptoms. The most common symptom is when a lesion appears on the skin, but there are other symptoms as well. For example, if someone experiences pain or discomfort in an area where they have a lipoma, it could be a sign that something more serious might be happening with their condition. Lipomas are not cancerous, but they still need to be diagnosed properly to avoid any complications. A needle biopsy may be needed to confirm that it is not malignant and sometimes further imaging like an Ultrasound or a CT Scan, sometimes an MRI may be needed.

This is a CT scan showing a large lipoma in the neck, which is a fairly unusual position. It is also under the muscle, which makes it a complicated lipoma, one that requires careful exploration and removal.

These benign fatty tumours that grow in the body wall and can sometimes cause irritation. Removal may be necessary if there is ongoing pain and discomfort. Sometimes, surgical excision is done for cosmetic reasons. It is also important to remove if there is rapid growth.

Surgery Procedure for Removal of Lipomas

Surgery is the most common treatment for lipomas. A surgeon can either remove the entire lipoma or just a part of it, depending on its size and location in the body wall. The surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, depending on factors such as the size and location of the tumour.

Pre-Operation Preparations and Post-Operation Expectations & Aftercare Instructions 

The decision to have surgery is a big one and there are many factors that need to be considered before making the final decision. This section will discuss the pre-operation preparations, post-operation expectations, and aftercare instructions.

I will also discuss what to expect after surgery.

Pre-Operation Preparations:

It is important to prepare your body for surgery by following instructions. This includes eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. You should also make sure that you have all of your medical records in order and bring them with you when you go into surgery. The hospital will contact you with regard to fasting times and arrival time. 

Post-Operation Expectations:

After surgery it is important to follow post op instructions carefully in order to recover as quickly as possible. This includes keeping the wound and dressing dry for 48 hours. Outer dressings if any can be removed at 48 hours. Here is a photo of an early post op wound. The wound eventually settles, becomes less red and the scar blends in with the natural creases on the body. 

The waterproof dressing underneath keeps the wound protected during showers until review.  I will typically see you for a wound review in 1-2 weeks to check the wound and provide you with the pathology results.