A lipoma tumor is a benign tumor comprised of fat cells. Also known as fatty tumors, lipomas are very common in the general population. Treatment for a lipoma is usually offered when a patient finds the tumor aesthetically unpleasant or finds that the tumor restricts freedom of movement. Treatment may also be recommended if the tumor is ambiguous in nature and a doctor is concerned that it may be malignant, in which case treatment would allow the doctor to remove it and test it for signs of malignancy.
Lipoma tumors are the most common type of soft tissue tumor. Many appear just under the skin, allowing patients to see and feel the tumor, which presents as a soft, movable lump. Lipomas are usually painless, and they can have a whitish to yellow appearance. One common treatment for this type of tumor is surgical excision, in which the tumor is simply removed by a surgeon, although a lipoma can also be removed with liposuction.
Another treatment option for a lipoma tumor is steroid injections. The steroids will shrink the fat cells, breaking down the tumor. This option is less invasive and less painful, and may be used for an initial treatment attempt to see if it will be possible to resolve the tumor without needing to resort to surgery. Steroid injections can be given as an outpatient procedure in a doctor's office or medical clinic.
A variation on the basic lipoma tumor known as lipomatosis involves the formation of numerous lipomas. Lipomatosis is more common in men, and can appear anywhere on the body, with the trunk being a particularly popular location. More rarely, patients can develop Dercum's disease, also known as adiposis dolorosa, in which numerous very painful lipoma tumors form. Because the lipomas in this case are painful, treatment for this condition is usually more aggressive.
When diagnosed with a lipoma, patients can talk about their options with a doctor. The doctor may recommend taking a wait and see approach, doing nothing about the tumor and monitoring it for any signs of inflammation or rapid growth. Patients who want the tumor removed can discuss their options and the various risks associated with each choice.
If a doctor suspects a growth may be more than a simple lipoma, he or she will usually request a biopsy, in which a sample of the tumor will be taken and examined in the lab. Patients can also opt for a full removal and biopsy of a suspicious growth, which will save time, as a malignant biopsy result will result in a recommendation to remove the tumor.
