Is a Lipoma a Tumor?

Question

Is a lipoma a tumor?  I just found out I might have a couple lipomas and I don't know if should be worried by this... can cancer cause lipomas?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas, by definition, are benign masses that are composed of fat cells. They are characterized as tumors because they are composed of proliferative fat cells that are of the same genetic composition. There are other types of fatty tumors that are cancerous but they differ significantly from lipomas in terms of growth pattern, invasion into adjacent structures, and time line of growth.

Lipomas are diagnosed on examination and by history. The true diagnosis is only made after examination by a pathologist.

The good news about lipomas is that they are generally easily removed as they do not invade other structures. They are generally shelled out with the capsule intact.

Consult with a plastic surgeon who can minimize the size and extent of the incision.

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

Dear Admin,
  Cancer is very unlikely in the small, soft mobile lipomas on the arms, legs and torso that most people have.  The very large ones, giant lipomas have an increased risk of being liposarcoma, and those rapidly  growing, or having abnormalities of skin appearance.  If there are multiple lipomas, 2-100's these are unlikely to be liposarcomas, which are single. 
  Putting it the other way around, a cancer can arise in a lipoma but lipomas are by definition,  benign tumors.

Case Reports  Dermatol Surg
. 2004 Mar;30(3):463-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30022.x.
Giant lipomas: a series of 12 consecutive cases and a giant liposarcoma of the thigh

Ahmet Terzioglu  1 , Doğan Tuncali, Ayşe Yuksel, Ferruh Bingul, Gürcan Aslan
Affiliations  expand
PMID: 15008886  DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30022.x

Matthew Richardson, MD · Answer

A lipoma could be considered a tumor, as it is a collection of fat (adipose) cells that form a mass. However, this does not mean that it is a malignant (cancerous) tumor or mass. Lipomas are almost always benign growths. Cancer can cause masses or enlarged lymph nodes, but does not cause benign lipomas. Having a lipoma is also not a sign that a patient has cancer. Lipomas are very common.
All the best,

Darrick E. Antell, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas are indeed a tumor.  However they are typically benign.  Having said that, how do you know that what you are feeling, or seeing is a lipoma ?  You should be evaluated, and in most cases I would recommend removal of the growth to ensure that it is indeed a benign lipoma and not something more ominous.

	Removal in my hands, is typically performed under local anesthesia, often on the same day the patient is seen.

Kevin Brenner, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Erik Borncamp, MD · Answer

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

Robert S. Backstein, MD · Answer

Lipomas are, by definition, tumors because they arise from a cell line (a fat cell) that continues to multiply at an abnormally high rate, thereby forming an enlarging lump. The key, however is that lipomas are benign tumors. The main features of benign tumors like lipomas are that they: stay in the place where they originate and don't spread to other body areas (i.e. they do not "metastasize"), they generally do not recur after excision, and they usually are easy to remove because they separate away from the surrounding tissues easily. Just because lipomas are benign, however, doesn't mean they can't pose problems for patients that have them. Larger lipomas especially, can become unsightly and create aesthetic concerns for patients and they can also become uncomfortable by getting in the way (such as a lipoma on the back pushing on a chair when sitting), or by causing stretch to the overlying skin or by applying pressure to surrounding nerves. For these reasons and others, many patients seek lipoma removal which I do surgically using a very tiny scar technique.

Arlo J. Miller, MD, PhD · Answer

I like Dr. Kasten's answer here a lot  He called them a "Good Natured Tumor".  The word "tumor" freaks people out because of course they think right away of cancer.  But, tumor really just means growth, so any kind of growth is a tumor.  The thing we then care about next is whether that tumor or growth is benign (non cancer) or malignant (cancer).

Leslie Memsic, MD, FACS · Answer

A lipoma is  a tumor since a tumor just refers to a mass. A lipoma is a soft tissue mass which is not malignant - (cancer) but it should be removed if it grows or becomes symptomatic. Although lipomas can generally  be diagnosed by physical exam based upon how they feel, biopsy is the only definitive way to know exactly that the tumor is indeed a lipoma. Large, hard, painful soft tissue masses (tumors) especially near joints may be confused with a type of soft tissue cancer called sarcoma.

Robert Kasten, MD · Answer

Lipoma are good natured tumors although the may grow and press on nerves. If lipomas bother you, they can be removed. Lipomas on the trunk can invade the muscle.

Is a Lipoma a Tumor?

Answers (14)

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