To remove or not remove a scalp lipoma?

Hello,Lipoma removal on the scalp can be removed and is not dangerous if it is in fact a lipoma.  Rare cases of fatty tumors have been described.  Most often it is removed under local anesthesia comfortably and best to have a lipoma removed with a minimal incision.  
Best,
Anil Shah

Our office specializes in lipoma removal surgery and we advocate early removal of lipomas if they are growing in size or symptomatic. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian

As lipomas are benign lesions the reasons that people remove them are generally discomfort or cosmetic.  I am not certain that his neck pain is from the lipoma on the scalp, however, if that is the consideration, pain would be a reason to remove it.

In general, a lipoma - which, by definition, is a benign growth that therefore does not have to be removed for strictly medical reasons - is removed for aesthetic and/or functional reasons.  Lipomas may be unsightly, leading to the desire to have them removed, or they may cause discomfort, leading to the same outcome.  That can be because they are withing muscles, and are "traumatized" with muscle movement, or they can be in locations that are traumatized with movement.In your father's case, having a large lipoma could be causing discomfort on its own, which is enough justification to have it removed.  I'm not sure it's related to the neck pain - that should be assessed separately.Once the full assessment is complete you can decide whether or not the lipoma's removal is warranted.  My guess is that at 3 inches it's already at a size where removal, if otherwise safe and appropriate, would provide your father with relief of symptoms.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of RealSelf100