Lipoma: symptoms, treatment, causes, diagnosis

Surgeon

Bohyan

Tigran Surenovich

Experience 37 years

Surgeon of the highest category, Doctor of Medical Sciences, member of the International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists and Oncologists

Make an appointment

Lipoma (fat) is a benign formation in the form of small nodules, the appearance of which is associated with the accumulation and compaction of excess adipose tissue. The size of the lipoma may increase or remain stable. When exposed to unfavorable factors, pockets of pathogenic microflora can form inside the wen, which makes it a source of other serious diseases of internal organs. The unaesthetic appearance of formations protruding on the surface of the skin is also important. Therefore, in most cases, a decision is made to remove the tumor and its subsequent histological examination to clarify the nature of the wen - benign or malignant.

The area of localization of lipoma is the back, chest, face, limbs, mammary glands, structure of internal organs. The formation can be detected accidentally during diagnostic procedures or during palpation. The edges of the lipoma are dense and clear, the formation is mobile, and its palpation is painless. It is more difficult to detect a lipoma in the tissues of internal organs. However, it is precisely such cases that are recognized as the most dangerous, threatening disruptions in the functioning of the affected tissue area.

Classification

Depending on the internal structure there are:

Myolipomas are formations from muscle cells.
Angiolipomas are lipomas with the inclusion of blood vessels.
Myxolipomas are tumors containing mucus.
Fibrolipomas are formations containing connective tissue.

It is possible to accurately determine the nature of the formation only after a thorough diagnosis. It should not be postponed for the foreseeable future, especially if the lipoma quickly increases in size and causes discomfort.

What to do if it opens up and pus flows out

If the lipoma ruptures on its own, pus of a creamy consistency with a characteristic putrid odor begins to flow out. Unlike a boil, this formation does not have a root (rod).

It is necessary to immediately take measures to reduce the likelihood of inflammation of surrounding tissues. Caring for a opened lesion is not much different from treating purulent wounds.

Algorithm for processing a burst formation:

Wash the hands.
Remove the discharge with a sterile bandage soaked in alcohol.
Treat with any antiseptic.
Place a bandage with ointment into the cavity.
Cover with a bandage.

Medications

One of the old, but still used means of treating a burst wound is balsamic liniment. Thanks to the xeroform, Vishnevsky ointment promotes the outflow of pus.

Causes of lipoma

The general pattern of the appearance of wen is the accumulation of fat cells due to a violation of fat metabolism in the body. If measures to treat the problem are not taken in a timely manner, the formation quickly grows, pinching nearby muscles and blood vessels. Among the causes of lipoma that influence the unfavorable course of the pathology, it is worth noting:

Hormonal disorders, a period of hormonal changes in the body.
Metabolic failures.
Disturbances in the diet with a predominance of food of animal origin.
Diseases of the kidneys and liver, pancreas and thyroid gland.
Bad habits.
Diabetes.
Genetic predisposition.

Also, the formation of excess adipose tissue is affected by physical inactivity, a sedentary lifestyle and refusal of full-fledged physical activity.

Symptoms

The main localization of wen is the place of deposition of adipose tissue. At first it is a soft compaction, which gradually increases in size. The only symptom of a lipoma is the formation of a noticeable tubercle with a movable structure, which can be felt when pressed. There is no pain when palpating the lipoma on the back or arms.

If the wen is localized in the structure or on the surface of internal organs, disturbances in their functioning may indicate pathology. The disease is also accompanied by characteristic symptoms:

a lipoma in the esophagus causes coughing, nausea and vomiting;
formations on the bronchi and trachea cause a constant dry cough of a paroxysmal nature;
lipoma on tendons and cartilage limits their mobility and causes pain;
a lump in the mammary gland gives pain;
fatty deposits in the kidneys provoke colic, lower back pain, and increased blood pressure;
a lipoma in the head causes dizziness and headaches;
a formation in the neck makes it difficult to swallow food and also causes hoarseness;
A lipoma in the heart area causes arrhythmia and heart failure.

Are you experiencing lipoma symptoms?

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease. Don't delay your consultation - call

Preparation for the procedure

In case of subcutaneous lipoma removal, no special preparation is required. The mini-surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning it does not require hospitalization. The surgeon performs all necessary manipulations under local anesthesia. Thus, the procedure is painless for the patient.

Giant subcutaneous lipomas, as well as neoplasms of the intestines, internal organs, and peritoneum require more serious and thorough preparation. Operations of this type are carried out with hospitalization of the patient. Before the intervention, samples are taken and, if necessary, additional studies are done. Operations performed under general anesthesia require restriction of water and food on the eve of the operation.

Methods for diagnosing lipomas

The long period of latent progression greatly complicates the diagnosis of soft tissue lipoma in the early stages of development. More often, pathology is detected when the wen reaches a size of 1.5-2 cm and is easily palpable under the skin. To carry out differentiated diagnostics and confirm the benign nature of the formation, you can:

Blood tests to exclude viral or bacterial infections, as well as the absence of an inflammatory process.
X-ray of the chest, limbs or abdomen. Allows you to detect a formation, clarify its location, calculate its size and assess the condition of surrounding tissues.
Ultrasonography. It is used as an additional diagnostic method when the presence of a lipoma is confirmed by other examination methods.
Computed and magnetic resonance imaging. Effective methods to determine the location and size of the lipoma, as well as confirm its benign nature.
A biopsy of wen tissue to analyze it for the risk of cells degenerating into a malignant structure.

If the patient has other diseases of the internal organs, the diagnosis of lipoma is carried out taking into account their characteristics, and deciphering the results suggests the mutual influence of pathologies, making it possible to more accurately determine the cause of the appearance of the wen.

Relapse Prevention

To prevent wen on the head from appearing again, you need to try to eliminate the factors that cause increased secretion of sebum. To do this, you need to follow the rules of personal hygiene, use high-quality cosmetics to care for your face and hair, but not over-wash your hair - the more often we do this, the more actively the sebaceous glands work, trying to compensate for dryness in this way. You should comb your hair as carefully as possible so as not to damage the epidermis. And remember that the first symptoms of a suspicious tumor or lump on the head are a reason to immediately consult a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment will allow you to correctly differentiate the pathology and eliminate the wen without scars.

Author of the article:

Volkov Dmitry Sergeevich |
Ph.D. surgeon, phlebologist Education: Moscow State Medical and Dental University (1996). In 2003, he received a diploma from the educational and scientific medical center for the administration of the President of the Russian Federation. Our authors

Treatment

If small lipomas are detected in a patient, a wait-and-see approach is chosen, which involves ultrasound monitoring several times a year. However, there are often cases when the doctor decides in favor of surgical intervention. Surgery is necessary if:

The tumor grows rapidly, engulfing neighboring tissues and blood vessels.
The lipoma rises above the surface of the skin, giving an unaesthetic cosmetic effect.
The development of a wen gives persistent pain.
Due to the growth of adipose tissue, the functioning of internal organs and the circulatory system is disrupted.

Removing or destroying a lipoma on the neck or back is possible in the following ways:

Endoscopic method. It involves removing the tumor along with the capsule through a small incision in the skin.
Liposuction is the extraction of adipose tissue by softening it and stretching it through a thin needle. Does not leave scars and does not injure the skin.
Excision of a lipoma is the removal of a wen during a classic surgical intervention.

The optimal method is selected taking into account the general condition of the patient and the size of the lipoma.

Methods for removing wen

Often, independent attempts are made to get rid of subcutaneous wen on the body, both with ointments and lotions, and by piercing. Both methods not only do not help, but are also fraught with allergies, inflammation and dangerous infections.

Drug treatment, including folk remedies, should be prescribed by a doctor, after clarifying the diagnosis and taking into account the peculiarities of the localization of the wen.

Indications for lipoma removal are aesthetic considerations, large size and tendency to rapid growth, and pain.

The type of surgical intervention is also determined by the doctor, who proceeds from the general condition of the body and the characteristics of the tumor. Wen removal can be carried out:

open surgery under local or general anesthesia;
puncture-aspiration method, in which destructive substances are introduced to soften and suction the tumor;
laser correction, with layer-by-layer and scarless removal;
radio wave radiation, by heating and separating tumor cells.

Non-surgical removal methods are less traumatic, but do not guarantee against relapse, since they may leave behind tumor remnants, which will resume their growth over time.

Treatment of chickenpox - symptoms and features of manifestation in children and adults. Why shouldn't you scratch chickenpox lesions?
Vitiligo - causes, symptoms, types, diagnosis and treatment in the clinic and at home (video + 135 photos)
Acoustic neuroma

Diagnosis and treatment of lipoma at the JSC Meditsina clinic in Moscow

The clinic of JSC "Medicine" in the Central Administrative District of Moscow is ready to offer professional assistance to patients with suspected single or multiple cases of lipoma development. The center’s specialists have high-quality equipment and extensive practical experience in using various methods of removing a tumor focus. Each patient is guaranteed attentive attention, referral to a full course of examinations and an individual approach to developing lipoma treatment tactics. Appointments are available on the clinic’s website and by calling the numbers provided.

Preventive measures

The understanding of the causes of subcutaneous neoplasm remains vague, so it is impossible to accurately determine measures to prevent the disease. Doctors are of the opinion that disorders of lipid metabolism of the skin, diseases of the digestive system and failure to comply with hygiene rules are possible causes of the disease.

Dermatologists advise sticking to a healthy lifestyle, eliminating junk food from your diet, adding exercise to your daily routine, and regularly caring for your skin using pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Annual scheduled examinations and regular visits to a dermatologist, cosmetologist and therapist will protect a person from the occurrence of painful lipomas.