Thursday, June 15, 2023

Is a lipoma cancer?

 Lipoma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that's most often situated between your skin and the underlying muscle layer. It is a non-cancerous (benign) fatty tumor that usually causes no symptoms or problems
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 Lipomas are very common and can occur anywhere in the body, but they are most commonly found on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, and thighs
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 They are typically soft and doughy to the touch and move easily with slight finger pressure
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Symptoms

Lipomas are usually small, typically less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter, but they can grow
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 They are usually painless and do not cause any symptoms, but they can cause discomfort if they press against a nerve or develop near a blood vessel
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 Lipomas can also be unsightly if they grow to be several centimeters across
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Diagnosis

Usually, a doctor can easily recognize lipomas from their typical appearance, and no tests will be needed for diagnosis
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 However, in some cases, a scan may be needed to confirm whether your lump is a lipoma
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 If your doctor suspects that the lump may be a form of cancer called liposarcoma, a biopsy or an MRI or CT scan is typically done
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Treatment

A lipoma is not cancerous and usually is harmless. Treatment generally isn't necessary, but if the lipoma bothers you, is painful, or is growing, you may want to have it removed
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 Lipoma treatments include surgical removal, which is the most common method. Most lipomas are removed surgically by cutting them out. Recurrences after removal are uncommon. Possible side effects are scarring and bruising
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In conclusion, a lipoma is a non-cancerous fatty tumor that usually causes no symptoms or problems. It is typically soft and doughy to the touch and moves easily with slight finger pressure. If the lipoma bothers you, is painful, or is growing, you may want to have it removed. Surgical removal is the most common method of treatment
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