Do I have to get Lipomas surgically removed?

Lipomas are diagnosed based on clinical examination or diagnostic studies.  You should always seek the advice of an experienced surgeon who will identify whether the lump is clinically suspicious for malignancy or whether it appears, by history and exam, to be consistent with a benign lipoma. If it is a... more

Lipomas are fairly easy to diagnose on clinical exam. They are also easy to remove surgically in most instances with a scar over the lipoma about as long as the diameter of the lesion. Some physicians alternatively advocate the use of liposuction to treat these lesions and minimize the scar but increase the... more

Most lipomas that are diagnosed clinically are benign, and could be left alone. For this reason, some insurance carriers consider removal cosmetic, and not a covered benefit. Very rarely, a fatty growth can be an aggressive type of cancer, called a liposarcoma. These are malignant and can grow into nearby... more

Lipomas are generally benign (non-cancerous) lesions. They will generally continue to grow over time and only need to be removed if they become bothersome, infected, or the patient desires removal. Removal generally required a small incision over the lipoma and removal of the lesion. In some cases, a very... more

Since lipomas are noncancerous, they do not require any treatment. However, if a lipoma becomes bothersome, infected, or continues to grow, you may chose to have it removed. Your doctor would simply excise the lipoma by making an incision to the area.