Lipoma

The cause of lipomas isn't fully understood. They tend to run in families, so genetic factors likely play a role in their development.

Risk factors

Several factors may increase your risk of developing a lipoma, including:

• Being between 40 and 60 years old. Although lipomas can occur at any age, they're most common in this age group.
• Genetics. Lipomas tend to run in families.

To diagnose a lipoma, your doctor may perform:

• A physical exam
• A tissue sample removal (biopsy) for lab examination
• An X-ray or other imaging test, such as an MRI or CT scan, if the lipoma is large, has unusual features or appears to be deeper than the fatty

There's a very small chance that a lump resembling a lipoma may actually be a form of cancer called liposarcoma. Liposarcomas — cancerous tumors in fatty tissues — grow rapidly, don't move under the skin and are usually painful. A biopsy or an MRI or CT scan is typically done if your doctor suspects liposarcoma.

No treatment is usually necessary for a lipoma. However, if the lipoma bothers you, is painful or is growing, your doctor might recommend that it be removed. Lipoma treatments include:

• Surgical removal. Most lipomas are removed surgically by cutting them out. Recurrences after removal are uncommon. Possible side effects are scarring and bruising. A technique known as minimal excision extraction may result in less scarring.
• Liposuction. This treatment uses a needle and a large syringe to remove the fatty lump.

Visit the Lipoma Support Group group on Facebook.