What Are my Lipoma Treatment Options?

These benign fatty tumors are removed because they are unsightly, uncomfortable or enlarging.

These tumors are typical in appearance: soft to rubbery, not fixed to skin or underlying structures, and slow growing.  If there is skin change, ulceration, dimpling or fixation, they should be biopsied to rule out a malignant liposarcoma.  Liposarcomas of the skin are usually intradermal and not like lipomas.  Liposarcomas arising as malignant tumors are found most often in  deeper tissues such as muscle or in the back of the abdomen.

Malignant  transformation of a lipoma to a liposarcoma is rare.  If there is concern about a lipoma being malignant, then an excisional biopsy or fine needle biopsy can be done.

Once the decision is made to remove the lipoma, it can be done by direct excision which leaves a scar of varying length; liposuction, which will leave some cells behind, or laser melting which may also  leave some cells behind. However, this does not occur so often as to be an inconvenience, since the lipoma is slow growing and another procedure can be done.  Removal through laser or liposuction, my preference being laser, leaves only a 5 mm scar which can be remote from the lipoma and hidden in a skin crease if possible.

If a patient has multiple small lipomas,which many do, on the arms, chest, trunk and legs, surgical excision leaves so many scars that patients want an alternative, less scarring treatment, even if it does have some trade-offs.  Even debulking multiple lipomas without complete removal is worthwhile because it is not disfiguring.  Many patients with familial lipoma histories keep getting lipomas.  This problem can be controlled with laser melting.

Lipomas are very common growths, and are usually removed with surgery. If they are not causing any problems, they can often be observed if the patient does not desire removal. Other treatment options do exist, such as liposuction, laser liposuction, or even injections to dissolve the fat cells, but surgical excision is generally recommended to obtain a pathologic diagnosis.
All the best,

Although this condition is benign, many patients concerned with cosmesis seek removal of individual lipoma tumors. Treatment can include simple excision, endoscopic removal, or liposuction if large. Liposuction, whether laser Liposuction or traditional will leave some of the lipoma cells behind which over time will probably recur though it may take years. There is nothing special about laser lipo vs regular liposuction to take care of your problem. I published the first article on lipo removal of large lipomas and believe this technique can be used knowing that you will probably have to repeat it when the lipomas eventually recur. However, this may be a reasonable option to minimize the number of scars. Find the most qualified plastic surgeon with experience with this problem to discuss your options and to take care of you.

Lipoma removal is usually a simple procedure under local anesthesia.  Majority of lipomas can be removed like an "marble" from a small incision.  This takes about 5 minutes to perform.  As a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon I close the incision with disolvable sutures so there are no sutures outside for the best cosmetic result.  There are some Lipomas that are larger and more fibrous and attached which require more work.  The cost for removal is about $100. 

A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) fatty tumor which can appear almost anywhere on the body.  They are usally firm and round and can become unsightly, requiring removal primarily for cosmetic reasons.  Most can be removed under local anesthesia as an outpatient with minimal pain and quick recovery. The specimen should be sent to a pathology lab to confirm the diagnosis. They are usually removed by plastic surgeons or dermatologists. The entire lipoma, including it's outer lining, must be removed to prevent recurrence.

Please consult with a board certified surgeon prior to your lipoma removal.

Best wishes,

Dr. Bruno