Lipoma Removal: Q&A

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How Big Should the Lipoma Be for Surgery to Take Place?

I have big one behind left elbow along with smaller one in same area that are starting to connect. Also one in my upper left thigh size of green grape, and another one right thigh hard and pointy like a dart head, and one more on side of left side of stomach about big as a thumb.

None of it is painful unless I bump them accidentally or try to squeeze them. They all seem to have many blood vessels visually seen in them.

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by ScareyGirl in Sacto., CA

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Lipoma Excision?

Lipomas are the most common benign tumor; they are composed of adipose tissue. Sometimes these soft, usually mobile masses can grow in size and become an aesthetic or functional concern. Excision is best done when the lesions are smaller. Malignant transformation of lipomas into liposarcomas it's extremely rare ( and controversial). Generally, I recommend excision to allow for pathologic evaluation (which is the only way to make a definitive... more

Is It A Lipoma

It is very important to understand that the diagnosis of lipoma should not be made by a patient without being examined by a physician. Many other lesions and even tumors can appear as bumps, nodules etc. You must have a physician determine the nature of the lump you have. Once it is established that you have lipomas then it is your choice whether to remove them or not. Lipomas by themselves are harmless unless they start causing symptoms like pain etc. Regards.

Lipoma removal

The smaller the lipoma, the easier it is to remove and with less scar. As Dr. Placik has pointed out, the problem without removing a lipoma is knowing whether it is a routine benign fat deposit or a rare cancer called a liposarcoma. That is also why liposuction of lipomas is not a good idea in my opinion because it destroys the ability to tell the difference between these two conditions.

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Lipoma size for surgery to take place

The word TUMOR means SWELLING in Greek. A tissue swelling (tumor) can be BENIGN (OK) or MALIGNANT (cancerous). Although the appearance usually suggests the diagnosis, it can never 100% of the time accurately predict it. A history of fast growth, ulceration, irregular borders, bleeding, crusting etc, SUGGESTS (not predicts) that a swelling may be malignant. But the ONLY way to know what "it" is is to get a tissue sample out and have a PATHOLOGIST look at it under a microscope... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

35 reviews

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Lipomas

In general. lipomas do not need to be removed if you know they are lipomas. The problem is we do not know if they are lipomas until we biopsy them, Rarely lipomas can be malignant (liposarcoma) but this is exceptionally rare. In certain instances, lipomas may cause symtoms due to their growth. This can cause pain , discomfort, or obstructive problems. They may need to be removed for these reasons. In your instance, you may want to remove one or more to establish a definitive diagnosis.... more

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.