Lipomas
These slow-growing masses are completely harmless and usually painless. Because they pose no threat to your overall health, standard care usually involves simple routine monitoring unless the lipoma causes discomfort or grows significantly.
What is a Lipoma? (Fatty Tumor)
A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) overgrowth of fat cells located just below the skin. These harmless fatty tumors are the most common type of soft tissue growth in adults. They develop slowly, feel doughy to the touch, and pose no serious threat to your health.
Professional Management
While usually harmless, lipomas are a common skin growth evaluated and treated by the doctors at Core Dermatology in Denver. Lipomas may grow and become painful or bothersome. If you wish to have a possible lipoma removed, contact us for treatment options.
Signs and Symptoms: How to Tell if a Lump is a Lipoma
To differentiate a benign lipoma from a common cyst or more serious conditions like liposarcoma (cancer), look for these key characteristics:
- Soft to the touch: The lump feels doughy and yields easily to gentle pressure.
- Easily movable: It shifts slightly under the skin when pressed with a finger.
- Painless: Most lipomas do not cause pain unless they grow to press against nearby nerves or blood vessels.
- Slow-growing: Growth happens gradually over months or years, not overnight.
- Sized under 2 inches: While they can grow larger, most remain small, typically under 5 centimeters in diameter. If you have a bump under the skin that is larger than 2 inches or growing, please seek evaluation by one of our doctors.
With Denver’s active lifestyle, these lumps can cause discomfort during exercise or outdoor activities. If your lump is hard, painful, or fixed in place, we encourage you to schedule a biopsy or skin check with your dermatologist immediately to rule out more serious conditions.
What Causes Lipomas to Form?
The exact cause of lipomas is unknown, but medical consensus shows they are heavily linked to genetics. If your parents developed these fatty tumors, you are highly likely to develop them as well. The primary risk factors include:
- Middle age: They most frequently appear in adults between the ages of 40 and 60.
- Familial Multiple Lipomatosis: An inherited genetic condition that causes multiple lipomas to form across the body.
- Certain medical conditions: Underlying syndromes, such as Dercum’s disease, Cowden syndrome, and Gardner’s syndrome.
Please be reassured that you did not cause these growths through your diet or lifestyle.
Lipoma Treatment and Removal Options
Lipomas do not go away on their own. While observation can be considered for small, painless growths, permanent removal and confirmation of the diagnosis with pathology requires an excision. Surgical excision is the definitive treatment, completely removing the fatty tissue and fibrous capsule to prevent the tumor from recurring.
When is Treatment Necessary?
The general medical standard for managing lipomas includes monitoring, removal via a surgical excision, or less commonly liposuction or Kybella injections. Treatment is medically necessary when the lipoma causes pain, restricts movement, or grows rapidly.
Professional Lipoma Removal at Core Dermatology
At Core Dermatology, we specialize in in-office, minimally invasive surgical excision using local anesthesia. This ensures minimal scarring and a low risk procedure. Patients can return to their daily Denver activities after one to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lipomas
Can a lipoma turn into cancer?
No. Lipomas are benign fatty tumors and do not turn into cancer. If you have a suspicious lump with features that are atypical of lipomas, an ultrasound study may be ordered or a biopsy may be performed for further evaluation.
How much does lipoma removal cost in Denver?
The cost varies based on size and location. Since it is a medical procedure, it is often covered by insurance if the lipoma causes pain or restricts movement.
Can I pop or remove a lipoma at home?
No. Unlike a pimple, a lipoma is a solid collection of fat tissue under the skin. Attempting to pop it at home can lead to severe infection, excessive bleeding, and permanent scarring.
Is lipoma removal painful?
Typically, no. Most dermatologists will use local anesthesia to numb the area completely, ensuring the procedure is virtually painless. You may feel a slight pinch and sting from the anesthetic needle, but no discomfort during excision.