Do Lipomas Always Continue to Grow?

asked 2 years ago by tawnyjessica in Phoenix, AZ
Latest answer by Robert Kasten, MD
Question viewed 7,228 times
Tags: age 25-34, back, grow back

I'm 25 years old and just got diagnosed with multiple lipomas in my mid to lower back. They are generally small right now, and only cause a little pain here and there. I have noticed most form on my hip bone, and one or two are next to my spine. Should I have these removed now? How quickly do they grow? Do they always get bigger? I don't want scarring, nor do I want them to start showing! Also, will I get lipomas elsewhere on my body? Please help!

10 answers to Do Lipomas Always Continue to Grow?

Removing lipomas with small scars

Lipomas are best removed early, before they enlarge. That is the best way to ensure that the scars are minimized.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Lipoma growth

Lipomas are benign growths that are unpredictable, that is to say just like any mole, a lipoma may either stay the same size it is now, or potentially grow, but no one can predict what will happen to it. If it bothers you, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon can safely remove it surgically for you (local anesthetic), and the scar is typically much smaller and nicer than the large lipoma lump.

Benjamin Barankin, MD
Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon

Lipomas should be removed if causing symptoms

Most lipomas are innocuous. The problem is that rarely, masses that present like lipomas can in fact be something else. Lipomas do grow and become larger, however they usually grow very slowly. When they become large enough to detect and/or cause pain symptoms they should be removed...mostly to exclude a more concerning problem...particularly if they get larger over a short time span.

Kevin Brenner, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Management of growing lipomas

Lipomas are lobules of exuberant fatty tissue proliferation that come about because of combination of genetic predisposition and/or trauma. However, lipomas typically do not grow and those that do should undergo excisional biopsy to rule out epidermal inclusion cyst, reactive or malignant lymph node, or very rarely liposarcoma.

William Ting, MD
Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

Variable rate of growth for lipomas

Lipomas have a variable rate of growth. If these lipomas are benign, direct excision is the best treatment. This will completely remove the lipoma and should leave a minimal scar. Your best bet is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will explain to you the treatment options and a surgical plan and what techniques they plan to use to minimize the location and optimize the appearance of your final scar.

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Multiple lipomas are common

Multiple lipomas are commonly seen. These are benign fatty growths.They are of different varieties, fibro-lipomas, angio-lipomas, some are well encapsulated, some are not. They can grow or remain as is for long time. if there is sudden growth theen these have to be removed. Surgical removal is preferable because then they are sent for pathology. Removing a lipoma by surgery WILL LEAVE A SCAR. That is the trade off.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Lipomas are not predictable, but are benign

Whichever plan you decide to pursue will be all right. Lipomas are benign fatty growths that do not grow quickly, but of course they must grow from somewhere, so they do grow. If a lipoma is small, does not show without touching it, and is not painful, I recommend generally leaving it alone. Sometimes blood vessels may mix into a lipoma (angiolipoma), in which case it is still benign, but may be more painful at times. These are more appealing to remove, depending on how much they bother you... more

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

Lipomas Generally Do Not Grow

Lipomas are common benign fatty deposits. These do not grow. Occassionally a lipoma can grow a lot and start causing pressure symptoms in its vicinity. In these cases it should be removed for comfort, relief of symptoms and to establish its histopathology (biopsy). Regards see video