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Why Did Lipoma Grow Back After Removal?

I have a lipoma removed from my back by surgery and now its grown back - WHY?

Doctor Answers 2

Lipoma re-growth

June 7th, 2010
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The most common reason for a re-growth of a Lipoma is a possible incomplete removal of the original Lipoma leaving elements behind. A second and much more rare reason is that it was NOT a Lipoma after all but a low grade cancer masquerading as a Lipoma. The re-growth needs to be removed with wider margins this time and the pathology slides need to be compared by a good pathologist to make sure to get to the bottom of why this happened.

Peter A. Aldea, MD


Memphis Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 114 reviews

June 7th, 2010

Lipoma re-growth

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

The most common reason for a re-growth of a Lipoma is a possible incomplete removal of the original Lipoma leaving elements behind. A second and much more rare reason is that it was NOT a Lipoma after all but a low grade cancer masquerading as a Lipoma. The re-growth needs to be removed with wider margins this time and the pathology slides need to be compared by a good pathologist to make sure to get to the bottom of why this happened.


Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Lipoma returned after removal

June 20th, 2010
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I agree with Dr. Aldea.  Either the lipoma was incompletely removed, or it was not a lipoma and something more serious.

Are you sure it was a lipoma?  A lipoma grossly looks like a lipoma and your surgeon would have suspected otherwise.  However, if it was sent to pathology, review the report and make sure the final diagnosis was a lipoma.

Michael A. Jazayeri, MD

Michael A. Jazayeri, MD
Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 13 reviews

June 20th, 2010

Lipoma returned after removal

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I agree with Dr. Aldea.  Either the lipoma was incompletely removed, or it was not a lipoma and something more serious.

Are you sure it was a lipoma?  A lipoma grossly looks like a lipoma and your surgeon would have suspected otherwise.  However, if it was sent to pathology, review the report and make sure the final diagnosis was a lipoma.

Michael A. Jazayeri, MD
Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.