I had a 3rd ultrasound on Monday of this week for a benign lump (lipoma) in my chest and rec'd a call from my family doctor telling me that the lipoma that was found has grown. They want to follow up with another ultrasound in six months if the specialist does not request any further follow up ... should I be worried ? Should I request that they do a biopsy to make sure it's a lipoma that doesn't need to be removed?
May 18, 2010
Answer: Biopsy for chest lipoma
There are many reasons to receive a biopsy for a lipoma. If the mass is in a sensitive place that may affect other structures, your physician may recommend a biopsy to determine if this is a benign mass or not. If the mass is benign but is not pleasing or interfering with the year activities or function, a complete excision may be recommended to address the mass once and for all.
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May 18, 2010
Answer: Biopsy for chest lipoma
There are many reasons to receive a biopsy for a lipoma. If the mass is in a sensitive place that may affect other structures, your physician may recommend a biopsy to determine if this is a benign mass or not. If the mass is benign but is not pleasing or interfering with the year activities or function, a complete excision may be recommended to address the mass once and for all.
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March 28, 2009
Answer: Biopsy I would assume that the lipoma is in the chest cavity, otherwise it would have been biopsied (and excised) already. I would also assume that the ultrasounds are very supportive of a diagnosis of a lipoma. A lipoma is one of the most common benigh mesenchymal neoplasms of the mediastinum, the central compartment of the chest. It is often quite large and usually sits right on top of the diaghragm. The fact that it is growing does not necessarily mean it is malignant. We physicians have all encountered pretty massive lipomas. Sometimes people who are overweight, on steroids or have a conditon called Cushing's Disease, too much cortisone, are prone to these benign tumors in the chest cavity. Surgery in this area can be difficult and perhaps that is why you have not undergone this yet. If you have not had a surgical consult yet, you might ask your family phycisian for one. Good luck
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March 28, 2009
Answer: Biopsy I would assume that the lipoma is in the chest cavity, otherwise it would have been biopsied (and excised) already. I would also assume that the ultrasounds are very supportive of a diagnosis of a lipoma. A lipoma is one of the most common benigh mesenchymal neoplasms of the mediastinum, the central compartment of the chest. It is often quite large and usually sits right on top of the diaghragm. The fact that it is growing does not necessarily mean it is malignant. We physicians have all encountered pretty massive lipomas. Sometimes people who are overweight, on steroids or have a conditon called Cushing's Disease, too much cortisone, are prone to these benign tumors in the chest cavity. Surgery in this area can be difficult and perhaps that is why you have not undergone this yet. If you have not had a surgical consult yet, you might ask your family phycisian for one. Good luck
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