A lipoma is a common, non-cancerous growth of fatty tissue that forms just beneath the skin. Many individuals who have a lipoma removed often wonder if these lumps can return in the same area. Understanding the nature of lipomas and their removal can clarify the likelihood of recurrence.
Understanding Lipomas
Lipomas are benign growths of fat cells encased within a thin, fibrous capsule. They typically present as soft, movable, and often painless nodules just under the skin. They can range in size from a small pea to several centimeters across. While lipomas can develop anywhere on the body, they are most frequently found on the back, neck, shoulders, arms, and thighs. They grow slowly over months or years and do not spread to surrounding tissues or other parts of the body, and most do not cause health problems.
Lipoma Removal and the Likelihood of Recurrence
The most common method for removing a lipoma is surgical excision, where the lump is cut out, often under local anesthesia. This procedure aims to remove the entire lipoma, including its capsule, to minimize the chance of it returning. Another method, liposuction, can also remove fatty tissue using a needle and syringe; however, it primarily removes fat cells and not necessarily the entire capsule. Steroid injections are another option that can shrink smaller lipomas, but they typically do not remove the lump completely.
True recurrence of the exact same lipoma in the precise spot after complete surgical removal is uncommon, with reported rates generally ranging from 1% to 5%. However, a lump might reappear nearby due to several factors. One scenario is incomplete removal, where some fatty cells or part of the capsule are left behind during the initial procedure, allowing the residual tissue to grow back. This is more common with techniques like liposuction, which may not remove the entire capsule, compared to traditional surgical excision.
Another possibility is the formation of a new lipoma very close to the original site. This is not the old lipoma growing back, but rather a new, distinct growth developing in an adjacent area. Individuals with a genetic predisposition to lipomas or certain underlying conditions may be more prone to developing multiple lipomas over time. In rare instances, a lump that reappears might indicate that the original diagnosis was incorrect, and the growth was not a benign lipoma but another condition with different growth patterns.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If a lump reappears in the same spot where a lipoma was removed, or if any new lumps develop elsewhere on the body, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. Medical evaluation is important to confirm the lump’s nature and rule out other conditions, determining if it is a new lipoma, residual growth, or something else. A doctor will typically perform a physical examination, feeling the lump and asking about its characteristics. Imaging tests such as an ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan may be ordered to visualize the tissue and its depth. In some cases, a biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and ensure the lump is not a more serious condition.