Is a Lipoma a Tumor?

There are two general types of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are non-cancerous. Malignant tumors are cancerous. All malignant tumors need to be evaluated and treated, in some fashion. Most benign tumors are usually removed simply because of the concern that they may be or become malignant.

Thank you for your question.  I get asked that a lot by my patients. 

The short answer is yes, a lipoma is a tumor.  But many things or tumors.  Tumor just means lump of tissue.  There are good tumors and bad tumors.  The majority of tumors are benign (good).  Some tumors can be malignant (bad, cancer).  And in rare cases, there are benign tumors that, while not malignant, can recur and cause problems.

 

The good news is fatty tumors (lipomas) are almost always benign.  Still, to be sure, you do want to make sure you’re evaluated by a physician.  There are some very rare cancers (liposarcomas) that can appear benign but are not.  Rapid increase in size, pain, skin changes, numbness, etc are symptoms of concern.

 

Stay Well,

 

Erik Borncamp MD , FACS