What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a harmless soft fatty lump which grows beneath the surface of the skin. It is a collection of fat cells which clump together and can occur anywhere on the body.
Who gets lipomas?
Lipomas can occur in anyone, but tend to develop more in middle aged adults and are slightly more common in men.
What causes Lipomas?
It’s still not entirely clear what causes Lipomas. There may be a genetic role as they can run in families. If you have sustained an injury to your body, you may develop a lipoma in that area.
Are Lipomas dangerous?
No. Lipomas are harmless. If you have a rapidly growing lipoma this may need removing to ensure it is not dangerous.
What are the features of Lipomas?
Lipomas may not be noticeable until they grow larger. They vary in size and can be several centimetres wide. They feel soft – a bit like rubber or dough, smooth and can easily be moved beneath the skin surface. Some people develop multiple lipomas. They are more commonly found on the shoulders, neck, back and arms. They tend not to be painful unless pressed.
How do you diagnose Lipomas?
It is normally diagnosed clinically, by finding a soft lump under the skin. If there is any uncertainty you may need to have a scan, most often an ultrasound scan to confirm it is a lipoma.
How do you treat Lipomas?
If the Lipoma is not causing any problems, it can be left alone. Some patients prefer to have them removed, often because they are becoming more noticeable or are unsightly. If a lipoma is causing symptoms and the diagnosis is uncertain, then it may need removing. Lipomas are removed by performing a small surgical procedure, whereby local anaesthetic is injected into the area where the lipoma is. A small cut(incision) is made into the skin, the lipoma is identified and then cut out. The skin is then stitched back together again and a dressing is usually applied. You will be left with a scar.
Is your Lipoma removal near me?
We serve patients from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, London and are within easy reach of:
Ascot – Beaconsfield – Bracknell – Bray – Cookham – Henley – Maidenhead – Marlow – Reading – Sonning – Slough -Stoke Poges – Sunningdale – Wentworth – Windsor
