Is a Lipoma a Tumor?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Darrick E. Antell, MD
Question viewed 24,788 times
Tags: 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?

8 answers to Is a Lipoma a Tumor?

Lipomas are benign tumors

Lipoma are good natured tumors although the may grow and press on nerves. If lipomas bother you, they can be removed. Lipomas on the trunk can invade the muscle.

Robert Kasten, MD
Mainz Dermatologic Surgeon

Are you sure it is a lipoma?

Hello, If you are right and the masses you have are lipomas, then they are benign and if left alone should grow slowly over time. The possibility exists that they are not lipomas. Some people have masses like this removed just to stop any damage they might cause as they grow and the prove they are only lipomas. It is a personal choice.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Quick Tips on Lipomas: What you need to know

Lipomas, by definition, are benign masses that are composed of fat cells. They are characterized as tumors because they are composed of proliferative fat cells that are of the same genetic composition. There are other types of fatty tumors that are cancerous but they differ significantly from lipomas in terms of growth pattern, invasion into adjacent structures, and time line of growth. Lipomas are diagnosed on examination and by history. The true diagnosis is only made after examination... more

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Lipomas are tumors and should be removed

Lipomas are indeed a tumor. However they are typically benign. Having said that, how do you know that what you are feeling, or seeing is a lipoma ? You should be evaluated, and in most cases I would recommend removal of the growth to ensure that it is indeed a benign lipoma and not something more ominous. Removal in my hands, is typically performed under local anesthesia, often on the same day the patient is seen. See the video below from the NBC Today Show for... more

Darrick E. Antell, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

A tumor is simply a growth of cells

There are two general types of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are non-cancerous. Malignant tumors are cancerous. All malignant tumors need to be evaluated and treated, in some fashion. Most benign tumors are usually removed simply because of the concern that they may be or become malignant.

Kevin Brenner, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Lipomas are Tumors

Tumors are any growth. They can be benign or malignant. By definition a lipoma ia a benign tumor of fat cells. The malignant counterpart of a lipoma is the liposarcoma. I am not sure what you mean by " can a cancer cause lipomas". There is some question among pathologist who specialize in soft tissue sarcomas whether a lipoma can degenerate into a liposarcoma. Most authorities say no. They feel that a well differentiated liposarcoma (the type of liposarcoma which is least... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist

Technically a lipoma is a tumor - but not all tumors are...

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.

D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Lipoma is a tumor but is rarely cancerous

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.

Dan Mills, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

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