Confirmed lipoma but increasing in size - should I have it checked again? What would removal entail? (Photos)

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

I remove all subcutaneous lipomas of whatever size with the Lowen technique. I will post a link to some before and afters for the armpit.
The scar is about an inch, and removal is complete. The procedure is done with local anesthetic in the office operating room. A drain is placed for 5-7 days.
An MRI is always ordered first to confirm that it consistent with a benign lipoma.

I have removed lipomas in this location before. It can be done despite the large size. The surgery is not very complicated as the lipoma does not go very deep into muscles etc. If it grows fast then it is important to remove the lipoma and send for biopsy to make sure that it is benign. Watch the video below to understand it better.
Regards
Dr Janjua

A lipoma can be removed under local anesthesia in a doctor's office or you can have general anesthesia in a surgery center or hospital. It usually take less than 1 hour to perform.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

From your description and photos, this could be called an "accessory or ectopic breast tissue" rather than a typical lipoma. If it is bothersome, it can be surgically removed through a small incision in the armpit.
This is generally a straightforward procedure that can be done under local anesthesia. The recovery is usually quick, with minimal downtime, and the scar is well hidden in the natural crease of the armpit.
Given that you’ve noticed recent growth and discomfort, it would be a good idea to have it checked again before scheduling removal, just to confirm the diagnosis and plan the best approach.

While lipomas are benign fatty tumors, any noticeable increase in size—especially if accompanied by discomfort, irritation, or recurrent rashes—warrants reevaluation. Although malignant transformation is rare, a clinical review (and in some cases, imaging or biopsy) can help rule out other possibilities such as a liposarcoma or confirm that it remains a simple lipoma.

Removal Considerations:

Size and Location: A 4–5 cm lipoma in the armpit area may require a slightly larger incision for complete removal, especially to ensure all fatty tissue is excised and to minimize recurrence.

Procedure Type: Surgical excision under local anesthesia is most common, though larger or deeper lipomas may require sedation or general anesthesia.

Recovery: Typically involves a few stitches, mild post-operative discomfort, and a short healing period. Friction in the armpit area may make aftercare more important to prevent infection.

Scarring: The incision is usually placed to minimize visible scarring, but some scar tissue is inevitable.

Summary:
Yes, it is worth having it checked again given the increase in size and recurring irritation. Removal is generally a straightforward procedure, but size and location may make the surgery slightly more involved than for smaller lipomas.