Lipoma

What are they?

Lipomas are noticed as soft fatty lumps just beneath the skin. They are totally benign. That is, they do not spread or cause any serious problems. They are extremely common. They can occur on most parts of the body apart from the face, scalp, palms and soles (where there is little fatty tissue). The most common sites are the shoulders, the chest and the back. They vary in size from pea size to several centimetres in diameter. Some people have a tendency to develop lipomas and may have several on different parts of the body. However, it is more common to only have one or two.

What causes them?

This is not clear. Fat cells seem to clump together in an abnormal way to cause these local fatty lumps.

Are they harmful?

No, they do no harm. If you are not bothered by them then it is best to leave them alone. However some people like them removed as they may be unsightly.

Removal of lipomas

Usually they can be removed under local anaesthetic. Once the overlying skin is 'numbed' by an injection of local anaesthetic, an incision (cut) is made over the lipoma. It is then pulled up out of the cut and detached from the underlying tissue. The wound is then stitched up. A fine scar will result. Removal of lipomas is one of the most common minor operations now done in general practice surgeries or in hospital.

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