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Is it dangerous to remove lipoma in center back of the neck? I travel lot to hospital nothing they did since 2011 (Photo)

I have 13cm lipoma at the center back of my neck,is it dangerous to remove it?

Doctor Answers 3

Neck lipoma

November 13th, 2016
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Every surgery has its risks but this location is no riskier than any other spot in the head and neck. You will however have a rather large divot if it is 13cm. That is a sizable one. 

At the same time if this is confirmed a lipoma by needle biopsy or imaging it is unlikely to cause you any issues so the other option is to leave it.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck,

DrC


Benjamin Caughlin, MD


Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 reviews

November 13th, 2016

Neck lipoma

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Every surgery has its risks but this location is no riskier than any other spot in the head and neck. You will however have a rather large divot if it is 13cm. That is a sizable one. 

At the same time if this is confirmed a lipoma by needle biopsy or imaging it is unlikely to cause you any issues so the other option is to leave it.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck,

DrC


Benjamin Caughlin, MD


Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 reviews

Removal of lipoma on back of neck

November 11th, 2016
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If this mass on the back of your neck is due from fat, it could be a lipoma or just diffuse hypertrophy of fat in the area.  A lipoma is a benign tumor that normally can be surgically excised.  If it is diffuse fat, that can sometimes be treated with liposuction instead of excision.  If it is just fat, it is normally not a risky procedure to treat it.  

Michael I. Echavez, MD

Michael I. Echavez, MD
San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.5 out of 5 stars 18 reviews

November 11th, 2016

Removal of lipoma on back of neck

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

If this mass on the back of your neck is due from fat, it could be a lipoma or just diffuse hypertrophy of fat in the area.  A lipoma is a benign tumor that normally can be surgically excised.  If it is diffuse fat, that can sometimes be treated with liposuction instead of excision.  If it is just fat, it is normally not a risky procedure to treat it.  

Michael I. Echavez, MD

Michael I. Echavez, MD
San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.5 out of 5 stars 18 reviews

Is it dangerous to remove lipoma in center back of the neck? I travel lot to hospital nothing they did since 2011

November 11th, 2016
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Thank you for sharing your question and photograph.  If your mass is a lipoma there should be no reason that you can not have it removed.  In most cases lipomas can be taken care of in your surgeon's office, but occasionally are done in an operating room.  Hope this helps.

Nelson Castillo, MD
November 11th, 2016

Is it dangerous to remove lipoma in center back of the neck? I travel lot to hospital nothing they did since 2011

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph.  If your mass is a lipoma there should be no reason that you can not have it removed.  In most cases lipomas can be taken care of in your surgeon's office, but occasionally are done in an operating room.  Hope this helps.

Nelson Castillo, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.