What is the difference between Lipoma and liposarcoma?

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur under the skin and less commonly within the muscle. They are associated with mild discomfort and a lump underneath the skin. It is always best to talk to an expert plastic surgeon to determine whether the lipoma is possibly a cyst or a tumor or hernia. We would have to remove the lipoma to be sure that it is not something else and we usually do this by sending it to a pathologist for evaluation. If a lipoma is painful, then an exam is needed to make sure it is not compressing on a nerve or whether the diagnosis is different. Aftercare for a lipoma includes gentle compression and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily on the wound.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question, and I am sorry to hear about your leg tumor.  A lipoma is a commonly found tumor of fat that can be found anywhere in the body and is not cancerous.  Treatment typically involves surgical excision.  A liposarcoma is a cancerous lesion and requires additional therapy in addition to wide local excision.  I would recommend you have the biopsy done in order to obtain a diagnosis. The diagnosis will then determine the best treatment option.  Best of luck.

A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor of fat cells and a liposarcoma is a malignant (cancerous) tumor of fat cells.  A biopsy should be able to determine the difference between the two.  

Strictly speaking, a lipoma is a benign growth and a liposarcoma is malignant (ie, cancer).There has always been some concern that lipomas, which are common, can contain or progress to liposarcoma.   The exact likelihood of this is not clear, but it may well be less than some of the figures (as much as 5%) that have been quoted.  In general, lipomas are slow growing, soft, non-tender, and well-encapsulated.  Liposarcomas are hard, rapidly-growing, can be painful, and have indiscrete borders.However, this is not a diagnosis that can be made via this forum.  I'm very sorry for the growth that you have.  If there is any question you should have a biopsy to find out what it is and, in any event, you should follow the recommendations of the surgeons who can examine you in person and offer appropriate guidance.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of #RealSelf100