I have a lipoma on my left breast (inner upper quadrant). I just got to know today. Do I need to remove it through surgery?

Question

can you pls. advise what shd I do next. do I need to get some more tests done ? do I need to remove this thru surgery ? whats the safest.. am a little worried n concerned. hence request ur expertise. Thanks...

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Any questionable or growing mass of the breast including a lipoma should surgically be removed and sent to pathology for a definitive diagnosis.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Breast mass that is new or have changed must be fully investigated.Mammogram, MRI is needed. A biopsy would be definitive.

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Actually, what the MRI says is "?lipoma."  Particularly in view of that, you should have the lump removed and examined by a pathologist.  It is important to exclude a more dangerous diagnosis (such as cancer) and the only way to do that it to remove at least a portion of the mass and have it looked at.  Depending on the size your surgeon may argue that it is most appropriate to remove the entire mass and have it examined.  That way you'll know definitively, and that's the course I would most likely recommend.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of RealSelf100

I have a lipoma on my left breast (inner upper quadrant). I just got to know today. Do I need to remove it through surgery?

Answers (4)

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