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What is a Lipoma? Definition and Characteristics
A lipoma is a common, benign, and generally harmless lump of fat. It is a benign tumor made up of fat cells that develops under the skin from adipose tissue. Often soft to the touch and painless, it can measure a few centimeters and appear on various areas of the body: back, arms, thighs, neck, scalp, abdomen, or even the face.
In France, it is estimated that approximately 2% of the population is affected by these fatty deposits. Lipomas affect men and women equally, more rarely children, and become more common after the age of 40 .
Lipoma: Is it painful?
In the vast majority of cases, a lipoma is asymptomatic : there are no symptoms and it is not painful. However, experts estimate that this benign fatty tumor can be painful in 25% of cases , particularly when it is located near a nerve, causing nerve pain.
| Type of lipoma | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Classic subcutaneous lipoma | Painless, mobile, soft |
| Lipoma near a nerve | Painful (25% of cases) |
| Lipomatosis (multiple lipomas) | Several balls of fat |
[H2] Medical Treatments: When and How to Remove a Lipoma?
Sometimes, for reasons that are not fully understood, a lipoma disappears on its own. Even if it is not painful, the patient may wish to have it removed for cosmetic reasons (especially if it is several centimeters in size). Three medical options exist:
| Treatment | Description | Risk of recurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Lipectomy (surgery) | Complete removal by incision | Very low |
| Liposuction | Grease aspiration | Higher |
| Corticosteroid injection | Gradual reduction, if surgery is not possible | Moderate |
In all cases, the removed lipoma must be sent for analysis to ensure that it is not a malignant tumor (liposarcoma, rare).
Natural Solutions to Reduce a Lipoma
Continued on the next page
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