Among skin lesions, lipomas are some of the best-known. They can appear at any age, but are most commonly found in middle-aged individuals.
What Are Lipomas?
A lipoma is defined as a benign lesion caused by localized overgrowth of fatty tissue. In essence, it is a movable swelling within the fatty tissue, growing slowly between the outer layers of the skin and the muscles. Lipomas most commonly appear on the trunk and the limbs and have the form of a subcutaneous nodule.
These lesions often have a familial character, appearing in people of the same family. Moreover, it is not uncommon for more than one lipoma to be present in the same patient.
In cases where lipomas become painful, gradually fixed (anchored to adjacent tissue), or when they enlarge significantly, surgical removal is necessary. In certain instances, when dealing with very large lesions that cause pressure effects, functional problems, or when liposarcoma is suspected, and depending on the patient’s general medical condition, an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be performed for further evaluation prior to surgery.
If the lesion does not raise suspicion for malignancy, its removal is generally performed as a simple procedure under local anesthesia. In some cases, local anesthesia may be combined with sedation. However, excision can also be performed under general anesthesia if required, a decision that is made based on the size, location, and number of lesions, as well as the patient’s preference and overall medical condition.
Surgical excision of any skin lesion under local anesthesia is performed in the doctor’s office. This is an extremely safe procedure, with minimal risk of complications such as:
- Infection of the surgical site
- Hypertrophic scarring, depending on the condition of the skin and its healing response
- Very rarely, recurrence of the lesion
All excised tissue is sent for histopathological examination to confirm its benign nature. Do not hesitate to visit our clinic and discuss your concerns in person, so that we can find the ideal solution tailored to your specific case. And always remember, a personalized approach is the best way to address any health issue that may arise!
References
- Kolb L, Yarrarapu SNS, Rosario-Collazo JA, et al. (2023). Lipoma. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507906/
- Charifa A, Azmat CE, Badri T. (2022). Lipoma Pathology. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482343/
- Piccolo D, et al. (2022). Lipoma management with a minimally invasive 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser. Frontiers in Medicine. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.1011468/full
