Why does my lipoma keep growing?

Question

I've had a lipoma on my back for a while and lately its been growing... why does it keep growing and what can u do to make it stop growing?

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

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas tend to slowly grow over time. The only effective treatment is to remove them. In most cases, lipomas can be removed in the office under local anesthesia with minimal downtime. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Most (>95%) of lipomas can be removed in the office under local anesthesia.Lipomas > 5 cm in size are at risk of degenerating into liposarcoma, but this is rare. Best treatment for an enlarging or tender and painful lipoma is resection and sending tissue to pathology to confirm whether it is benign (most cases) or malignant.

Why does my lipoma keep growing?

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Why does my lipoma keep growing?

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