12 cm lipoma on left shoulder. What are the chances of recurrence with lipoma excision?

Question

1. Chances of recurrence with lipoma excision 2. Probability of it being malign if left untreated 3. Probability of it being malign if removed (with excision)

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur under the skin and less commonly within the muscle. They are associated with mild discomfort and a lump underneath the skin. It is always best to talk to an expert plastic surgeon to determine whether the lipoma is possibly a cyst or a tumor or hernia. We would have to remove the lipoma to be sure that it is not something else and we usually do this by sending it to a pathologist for evaluation. If a lipoma is painful, then an exam is needed to make sure it is not compressing on a nerve or whether the diagnosis is different. Aftercare for a lipoma includes gentle compression and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily on the wound.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  With complete excision the risk of recurrence is less than 5%, probably less than 1%.  Nearly all lipomas are benign whether left in place or removed.  Hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear balkrishnajha,
lipoma is a benign fat tissue tumor which usually doesn't cause issues. The only way to be sure that it is a lipoma is to do a biopsy or to remove tumor and get pathology report. In most cases, it can be removed under local anesthesia and if it completely removed, it should not regrow again.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

12 cm lipoma on left shoulder. What are the chances of recurrence with lipoma excision?

Answers (3)

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