MRI found 5.8 x 1.8 x 1.5cm intramuscular thigh lipoma in adductor magnus. My doctor feels this needs a biopsy. Would you agree?

Intramuscular lipomas can have different pathologic origins. A biopsy is necessary. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian#Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for sharing your question and MRI.  Depending on your symptoms a biopsy provides a minimally invasive method of diagnosis, but in general a lipoma can be diagnosed by MRI and an excisional biopsy performed to have it removed.  Hope this helps.

By definition, a lipoma is a benign (not dangerous) growth.  If your doctor is SURE that this is a lipoma then it does not need to be biopsied, at least in theory (you can only be treated by a doctor who can examine you in person, and you should not rely on advice in this column to replace that relationship).  So maybe your doctor is concerned that it MIGHT be something else, and wants to do a biopsy to make sure.  Then, if it is a benign growth, nothing else will necessarily need to be done, if you are not having symptoms.  But why did you have the MRI?  Is it enlarging, painful, causing nerve problems, etc? In any of those cases, removal may be warranted.  This and other aspects would need to be discussed with you in person by a board-certified surgeon.  I hope that this helps and good luck, Dr. Alan Engler, Member of #RealSelf500