Question

Is a lipoma a tumor?

Is a lipoma a tumor?  I just found out I might have a couple lipomas and I don't know if should be worried by this... can cancer cause lipomas?

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Asked by: June from Albuquerque, NM

Answers (2)

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1
July 15, 2008

Lipomas, tumors and cancer

D.J. Verret, MD
D.J. Verret, MD
Board Certified
Facial Plastic Surgeon
Answer by D.J. Verret, MD

Technically a lipoma is a tumor - but not all tumors are cancer. There are certain types of cancerous tumors that appear to be lipomas but these are very rare.

I know of no instances where cancer has caused lipomas. If lipomas are growing or changing, it is probably a good idea to at least have them biopsied, if not removed. For the most part, lipomas are not a problem and nothing needs to be done.

Web reference: http://innovationsfps.com
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2
June 14, 2008

Lipoma is a tumor but is rarely cancerous

Daniel C. Mills, MD
Daniel C. Mills, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

A tumor is a growth.  So yes, a lipoma is a tumor.  Not all tumors are cancer.  A lipoma is a growth of fat. 

They are extremely rarely cancerous, way less than 1%.  Lipomas are like moles of fat cells.

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