You are in the right place if you want to demystify Fatty tumors and lipoma myths. Lipoma is a condition that results in the formation of a non-cancerous lump(s) due to fat cell overgrowth. Moreover, the condition can appear in any body region with fat cells.

No, the lipoma isn’t cancer. Nonetheless, cancerous fat cells exist, and you can call them liposarcomas. Therefore, it will be best to update your doctor on any changes to your lipoma condition—including the disappearance and formation of new lumps. Lipomas can become cancerous, but this happens on rare occasions. Cancerous lipomas are also known as sarcomas. Fortunately, the condition is treatable, especially after early diagnosis. Read on as we explore lipoma, its symptoms, treatment, and more.

Who can get lipoma?

Medical experts classify Fatty Tumors as a common condition. Approximately 1% (one in one hundred) of people will develop the condition in their lifetime. Unfortunately, the exact cause of fatty tumors is unknown, with some individuals developing lipomas due to faulty gene inheritance.

Remember that lipoma resulting from an inherited faulty gene is known as multiple familial lipomatosis, among the most prevalent fatty tumor conditions. Individuals ailing from lipomatosis will develop more than one lipoma in their lifetime. And the maximum number of lumps varies from one individual to the next.

Yes, lipomas form anywhere with fat cells. Consequently, fatty tumors can appear anywhere on the;

• Thighs
• Shoulders
• Neck
• Arms

Lipoma Symptoms

Do you have a lump under your skin that feels soft to the touch? If so, you might have a lipoma, especially if the lump is dome-shaped. You will not experience pain or other symptoms if you have a fatty tumor. However, this is dependent on where the fatty tumor develops. Also, some lipomas can develop deep inside your body’s tissues. And they can go unnoticed while they press on different organs and nerves.

The development of fatty tumors deep inside the body can affect bowel functions, which can escalate to bowel blockages. This condition will leave you feeling constipated and sick. So, in a snapshot, lipoma symptoms generally include the following:

• A lump that feels soft to touch
• A node that slowly grows
• A bump is visible right under the skin
• A lump that easily moves when prodding using fingers

Lipoma Diagnosis

Doctors and medical practitioners can make a successful lipoma diagnosis after looking at and feeling your lump. You will be pleased to learn that most experienced doctors can recognize a fatty tumor immediately, and this helps them make a lipoma diagnosis without breaking a sweat.

Some fatty tumors develop deep beneath the skin. Consequently, your doctor might use an ultrasound to scan the area under-diagnosis. You should also always remember to contact and update your doctor on any changes to your fatty tumor—be it an increase in lump size or the experiencing of pain.

There are rare cases when doctors fail to identify fatty tumors with a high level of accuracy. Please note that fatty tumors can be mistaken for cancerous (malignant) tumors, liposarcomas. During this case, your doctor may remove the lump or schedule a biopsy to help ascertain that they are dealing with a fatty tumor.

Understanding lipoma treatment

Yes, you don’t need to remove fatty tumor lumps. Nevertheless, your doctor might feel lump removal is the way to go. Doctors who prefer fatty tumor removal do so because:

• The doctor wants to be sure of their lipoma diagnosis
• Your fatty tumor is experiencing continued growth
• Your lipoma is resulting in side effects like bowel blockage, constipation, nerve issues, etc
• You desire to have the fatty tumor removed for cosmetic reasons

A small anesthesia dose is necessary when removing fatty tumors. The anesthesia will mitigate pain during the minor surgery, and you might be left with a scar once the wound heals. Once removed, the lump should be sent to the laboratory, where experts will study it under a microscope. Surgery is the most preferred way of fatty tumor removal. This is particularly helpful among individuals who have a growing lipoma lump. Your doctor will make a small incision in your skin to remove the lump, after which the incision will be sewn.

Liposuction is another effective lipoma treatment since the procedure helps doctors deal with fat-based health concerns. With liposuction, doctors can reduce the size of fatty tumors, but this will not stop the condition from returning. Getting rid of lipoma requires removing the malign lumps in their entirety. The cost of treating lipoma will depend on a variety of factors, such as:

• Size of fatty tumor growth
• The complexity of the lump removal procedure
• Location of growth

Residents of Miami and its environs can consult with Elite Surgical Miami’s Dr. Luciano Fiszer, MD. The board-certified surgeon boasts over ten years of experience in bariatric/weight-loss surgery and related conditions of the digestive tract. Additionally, Dr. Luciano Fiszer, MD, uses state-of-the-art technology to perform robotic-assisted surgery, which is less invasive than other fatty tumor treatment options. So, contact the doctor and schedule an appointment.

Big Takeaways

Lipoma or fatty tumors are non-cancerous lumps or fatty growths that don’t pose an immediate health risk. Medical personnel can remove the fatty growths using surgery, especially if the patient is interested in enjoying cosmetic benefits from lipoma removal.

You don’t have to worry about the condition spreading to the rest of your body. Moreover, fatty tumors don’t leak into adjacent tissues, organs, or muscles, explaining why doctors say lipoma is not life-threatening. It is vital to keep your doctor updated on any developments regarding your fatty tumors. Active monitoring will help the doctors stay on top of the condition during treatment, which is essential in ensuring that the malign lumps reduce in size.

Also, note that you can’t manage the size of your fatty tumor’s lump with a bit of self-care. And this is one of the reasons why doctors don’t recommend using warm presses on lipoma lumps. Find out if you have a fatty tumor by contacting the General, Reflux, & Bariatric Surgeon at Elite Surgical Miami to book an appointment.

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