Medicines for Lipoma

What it is

A lipoma is a soft lump of fatty tissue that grows slowly just under the skin. Lipomas are very common and are harmless (non-cancerous). They typically feel soft, smooth and rubbery, move easily under the skin when pressed, and are usually painless. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the shoulders, neck, trunk, arms and thighs, and some people have more than one. They usually grow slowly over years and often stay small, though occasionally they can become larger. The cause is not fully understood, and they can run in families. Because a lump under the skin can occasionally be something else, a lipoma is usually confirmed by its typical feel and appearance, and any lump that is hard, fixed, growing quickly, or painful should be assessed.

How it is treated

Most lipomas need no treatment, and reassurance that they are harmless is usually all that is needed. They are generally only removed if they are large, growing, painful (for example pressing on a nerve or getting in the way), or bothersome, or if there is any doubt about the diagnosis. Removal is a minor operation to take out the fatty lump. Occasionally a scan or a sample is done if the diagnosis is uncertain or the lump has unusual features. It is not helpful or safe to try to remove a lipoma yourself. The key clinical point is distinguishing a typical, harmless lipoma from other lumps: features such as rapid growth, hardness, being fixed to deeper tissues, or pain warrant assessment to exclude other causes.