Lipoma Treatment
A lipoma is a benign tumor made of fat tissue. They are soft to touch, movable and painless. They usually occur just beneath the skin on various parts of the body, including the trunk, back, hands, and genitals. One can have more than one lipoma in multiple locations which can be particularly bothersome around joints or on dependent areas like the buttocks and back.
How Common Are Lipomas?
Lipomas can develop at any age affecting approximately 1 in 1000 people, most commonly appearing between the ages of 40 and 60. Although lipomas are harmless, they can be removed due to cosmetic reasons and if bothersome.
KLEM Clinics offer professional and affordable lipoma removal services at its clinics in Kuala Valley and Johor.
Causes of Lipomas
The exact cause of lipomas is unknown, but certain risk factors can predispose to lipoma such as:
- Family history
- Obesity
- Previous injuries to specific areas of the body
- Dercum’s disease. This rare disorder causes painful lipomas to grow, most often on the arms, legs and trunk.
- Gardner syndrome; a form of a disorder called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), causes lipomas and also a range of other health problems.
- Hereditary multiple lipomatosis is passed down through families.
- Madelung’s disease mostly affecting men who drink alcohol excessively causes lipomas to grow around the neck and shoulders.
Diagnosing Lipomas
Although diagnosing a lipoma can be made via a physical examination, further investigations may be required through tissue biopsy or imaging such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, to exclude cancerous tumors like liposarcoma.
Lipoma Treatment Options
The recommended treatment for lipomas is surgical removal which can be done in a clinic setting. Recovery typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, with most individuals able to resume work the day after the procedure. Post-procedure care involves keeping the bandage on for approximately 2 days and maintaining wound hygiene. You will also be given an oral antibiotics course and painkillers.
Other Treatment Options
Alternative options include steroid injections to reduce lipoma size and liposuction, suitable for larger lipomas but less commonly chosen due to invasiveness. These alternatives are for those who are unsuitable for surgery or preferring non-procedural treatments.
