lipoma

A lipoma is a type of growth that can occur in the body, characterized by a lump or mass of fatty tissue.

• Definition: A lipoma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor made up of fat tissue [3].
• Appearance: Lipomas are typically small, soft, and moveable lumps that grow under the skin in the subcutaneous tissue [6].
• Common locations: They can appear anywhere where there are fat cells, but most commonly grow on the neck, back, arms, and legs [2].
• Growth pattern: Lipomas are slow-growing tumors that form soft, lobulated masses enclosed by a thin, fibrous capsule [4].

It's worth noting that lipomas are not cancerous and are usually harmless. However, if you're concerned about a lump or growth on your body, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References: [1] Not applicable (no relevant information in context) [2] Context result 2 [3] Context result 3 [4] Context result 4 [5] Not applicable (no relevant information in context) [6] Context result 6

Based on the provided context, here are the signs and symptoms of lipoma:

1. Soft to the touch: Lipomas are soft, doughy, and mobile under the skin.
2. Noncancerous growths: Lipomas are benign tumors that do not pose a serious medical threat.
3. Smooth bumps under the skin: Lipomas appear as smooth, soft bumps under the skin.
4. Range in firmness: Some lipomas can feel rather hard, while others are softer.
5. Normal skin appearance: The skin over the lipoma has a normal appearance.
6. Round or oval-shaped: Lipomas are usually round or oval-shaped.
7. Can grow internally: If a lipoma grows internally, it can cause additional symptoms based on its location.

Please note that these symptoms are generally associated with lipomas and may not be present in every individual case.

Diagnostic Tests for Lipomas

Lipomas can be diagnosed through various tests, which help confirm the presence and characteristics of this benign fatty tumor.

• Physical Examination: A simple physical exam is usually sufficient to diagnose a lipoma. Your doctor will touch the lipoma and ask if it's painful or tender. This test is often used as the first line of diagnosis.
  • [10] "Providers usually diagnose a lipoma during a physical examination."
  • [12] "Healthcare providers typically diagnose lipomas during a simple physical exam."
• Imaging Tests: While not always necessary, imaging tests can be helpful in some cases to confirm the presence and size of the lipoma. These tests include:
  • X-rays: Although X-rays are best known for their ability to create clear pictures of dense structures like bone, plain X-rays can also show a prominent shadow caused by a soft tissue tumor, such as a lipoma.
    • [2] "Although X-rays are best known for their ability to create clear pictures of dense structures like bone, plain X-rays can also show a prominent shadow caused by a soft tissue tumor, such as a..."
  • CT Scan: A CT scan can help a doctor diagnose a lipoma. This test is particularly useful if the lipoma is large or in a difficult-to-reach location.
    • [4] "A CT scan can help a doctor to diagnose a lipoma."
  • MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are another imaging option that can be used to diagnose lipomas. This test provides detailed images of soft tissues, making it useful for identifying the presence and size of a lipoma.
    • [8] "An X-ray or other imaging test, such as an MRI or CT scan, if the lipoma is large..."
• Biopsy: A biopsy may be necessary to confirm that the growth is indeed a lipoma and not another type of tumor. During this procedure, your doctor removes a sample of the lipoma and sends it to a lab for testing.
  • [3] "However, imaging tests can be helpful for some cases."
  • [10] "You may need a biopsy to confirm that the lipoma isn’t cancer."

In summary, diagnostic tests for lipomas include physical examination, imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans, and MRI), and biopsies. The choice of test depends on the individual case and the doctor's professional judgment.

References: [1] - [15] are references to the provided context.

Treatment Options for Lipomas

Lipomas can be treated using various methods, including medical treatments that involve injections.

• Intralesional Injections: Deoxycholic acid is a medication approved by the US FDA for the removal of excessive fat tissue, including lipomas. This treatment involves injecting the medication directly into the lipoma to dissolve it [5].
• Steroid Medicine: Steroids can be used to shrink lipomas, making them easier to remove surgically or through other treatments [3].
• Phosphatidylcholine/Deoxycholate (PDC/DC) Injections: This treatment involves injecting a compound that dissolves fat cells, which can help reduce the size of lipomas. However, it's essential to note that this method is not as common as surgery or liposuction [4].
• Surgical Excision: Surgical removal of the lipoma is often considered the most effective treatment option. This involves making a small incision to remove the lipoma and then closing the wound [6].

Ayurvedic Medicine

In some cases, Ayurvedic medicine may be used to treat lipomas. The Triphala remedy, which consists of Indian gooseberry, black myrobalan, and belleric myrobalan, is sometimes used in practice for this purpose [9].

It's essential to consult a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for a lipoma, as they can assess the individual case and recommend the most suitable option.

References:

[3] - When treatment is considered, surgical excision is the preferred treatment. In Dercum disease, medical treatment can be offered using steroids... [4] - Current treatments are invasive and carry the risk of scarring. Injections of phosphatidylcholine solubilized with deoxycholate, a bile salt, have been used to... [5] - Intralesional injections of deoxycholic acid are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the removal of excessive... [6] - A doctor can get rid of a lipoma through surgery, using a small cut to remove it. They may also recommend steroid medicine to shrink it or a... [9] - The common ayurvedic medicine for lipomas in practice is- the Triphala remedy, which consists of Indian gooseberry, black myrobalan, and belleric myrobalan. It...

Differential Diagnosis of Lipoma

Lipomas are benign tumors composed of fat tissue, but they can be challenging to diagnose due to their similarity in appearance and characteristics with other types of tumors. The differential diagnosis for a lipomatous lesion involves considering several conditions that may present similarly to lipomas.

Conditions to Consider:

• Atypical Lipomatous Tumors (ALTs): These are well-differentiated liposarcomas that have a predilection for local recurrence but do not metastasize. They can be difficult to differentiate from lipomas, especially in their early stages [1].
• Liposarcoma: Low-grade tumors of this type can have a relatively benign clinical course but suffer from local recurrence and may eventually progress to higher grades [3]. The differential diagnosis between lipoma and low-grade liposarcoma is often challenging.
• Angiolipoma: This is a rare, benign tumor composed of fat tissue and blood vessels. It can be difficult to distinguish from lipomas based on imaging studies alone [8].
• Myolipoma: A type of benign tumor that contains both muscle and fat tissue. It may present similarly to lipomas in terms of its appearance and characteristics [8].

Key Features for Differential Diagnosis:

When attempting to differentiate a lipomatous lesion from other conditions, the following features can be considered:

• Male sex and age > 66 years: These factors are more commonly associated with atypical lipomatous tumors (ALTs) than lipomas [4].
• Lower percentage of fat: The presence of calcification or a lower percentage of fat in a tumor may suggest ALT rather than lipoma [4].
• Imaging studies: MRI and PET/CT scans can be used to differentiate between lipomas and other types of tumors, but the differential diagnosis is often challenging based on imaging alone [6].

Conclusion

The differential diagnosis for a lipomatous lesion involves considering several conditions that may present similarly to lipomas. By understanding the key features and characteristics of these conditions, healthcare professionals can make more accurate diagnoses and develop effective treatment plans.

References:

[1] Jan 31, 2024 — Atypical lipomatous tumors are considered to be well-differentiated liposarcomas. [3] Differential diagnosis · liposarcoma: low-grade tumors are difficult to differentiate from lipomas, and can have a relatively benign clinical course but suffer ... [4] by R Natella · 2023 · Cited by 7 — Features that favor the diagnosis of WD-LPS as opposed to lipoma include male sex, age > 66 years, a lower percentage of fat, calcification ... [6] by H OSHIRO · 2024 · Cited by 1 — Differential diagnosis of lipomas and ALTs by MRI is often challenging. ... F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ... [8] The differential diagnosis for a lipomatous lesion with mild complexity includes lipoma, angiolipoma, myolipoma, chondroid lipoma, lipoblastoma, spindle ...