What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a soft, fatty lump that grows under the skin.
Lipomas can occur on any area of skin where there are fat cells, but are usually seen on the shoulders, neck, chest, arms and back. They range from the size of a pea to a few centimetres across and grow very slowly.
About one in 100 people develop a lipoma, so they are fairly common. It is unusual to develop more than one or two lipomas, unless you have a rare inherited condition called familial multiple lipomatosis, which causes lipomas to develop all over the body.
When to see a doctor
You can usually tell if a bump is a lipoma by pressing it. It should feel smooth and soft, like rubber or dough, and may move about under the skin.
If you are unsure whether it is a lipoma or you are worried it could be more serious, see a doctor. They can usually confirm whether the lump is a lipoma just by examining it. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, the lipoma may be removed.
Also see a doctor if your lump:
- changes in any way
- grows back after it has been removed
- feels hard
- is painful
In this case, your doctor will want to rule out either angiolipoma, a benign lipoma caused by an increase in small blood vessels, or liposarcoma, a very rare type of soft tissue cancer.
Getting a lipoma removed
You may want your lipoma removed if it’s large or in an obvious place and is affecting your self-esteem.
A lipoma may also need to be removed if it is causing discomfort. For example, it may be pressing on a nerve and causing pain.
This procedure can be done as a day surgery or an overnight stay in the hospital.
Lipoma Specialist Surgeon
Dr Tan Chin Yik, Orthopaedic Surgeon
