Lipomas are soft lumps of tissue that form under the surface of your skin. Made up of fat cells, they’re rubbery and easily movable with slight pressure. And while they’re generally harmless, it’s normal to be worried if you notice one on your body.
About one in every 1,000 people has a lipoma, and their presence can raise questions about their potential impact on health and well-being. Balaguru Sambandam, MD, FACS, and our team at North Tarrant Health Providers understand your concerns, and we’re here to help.
We specialize in lipoma treatment in Fort Worth, Texas. So if you have a lipoma (or several), here’s what you need to know about how they could affect your health.
Lipomas are clumps of fatty tissue under your skin. They’re usually round or oval-shaped, and many people with lipomas can push them around gently without feeling any discomfort.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a lipoma, the first question you might ask is whether it poses any danger to your health. And in most cases, the answer is no.
Almost all lipomas are benign (non-cancerous) growths that don’t typically develop into cancer. Lipomas aren’t life-threatening, and they may not even require treatment unless they cause discomfort or aesthetic concerns.
Lipomas are most common among middle-aged adults who are between 40-60 years old. The exact cause of lipomas is unclear, but they may run in families. That means you might be more likely to get a lipoma if you have a family member with one. Certain conditions, like adiposis dolorosa (Dercum's disease), can increase your likelihood of developing lipomas.
Despite their benign nature, lipomas can sometimes cause complications depending on their size and location. Larger lipomas may press against nearby nerves or blood vessels causing discomfort or interfering with bodily functions.
One of the biggest concerns with lipomas is their potential to be mistaken for more serious conditions, like malignant (cancerous) tumors. Lipomas have distinct characteristics — but if you notice a new or unusual growth, it's important to seek a professional evaluation ASAP.
Depending on your symptoms and your overall health, imaging tests like ultrasound or MRI may be necessary to confirm the nature of the growth and rule out any underlying health issues.
Lipomas themselves aren’t considered dangerous, but treatment is available for lipomas that are large, uncomfortable, or unsightly. If you have a lipoma that’s bothering you, talk to Dr. Sambandam about your options.
We offer minimally invasive lipoma removal to relieve irritating symptoms and restore normal appearance. Removal is a straightforward procedure performed under local anesthesia. During the surgery, we make a small incision, remove the lipoma, and close the wound with stitches. Sometimes, we use liposuction or laser therapy to treat the area.
It's important to note that while treatment can address the physical presence of lipomas, it doesn’t eliminate the underlying risk of recurrence. Regular monitoring is important for managing lipomas.
Even if you don’t seek treatment for your lipoma, you should keep an eye on any growths for changes in size, shape, or texture. Rapid growth or alterations in appearance may warrant further medical investigation to rule out other conditions.
Lipomas usually aren’t dangerous to your health, but they can present challenges depending on their size, location, and other factors. And if you have a lipoma that’s causing you concern, we’re here to help. To get started, use our easy online booking feature to schedule a visit with Dr. Sambandam, or call 817-904-4165 to reach our office in Fort Worth, Texas, today.
