A lipoma is a benign tumour of mature fat cells sitting in the subcutaneous layer — soft, mobile, and usually painless.
Encapsulated adipocytes beneath the skin rather than within it, which is why the overlying skin moves freely over the lump and the lump moves under the finger.
Mobility is the useful sign. A cyst is tethered to the skin and often has a punctum; a lipoma slides beneath it. But a firm, fixed, rapidly enlarging or painful lump is not assumed to be a lipoma at all.
Size, depth, mobility, rate of growth, tenderness, and number. Multiple lipomas warrant a broader look.
Surgical removal where size, site or symptoms justify it. Small asymptomatic lipomas are frequently left alone, and saying so is a legitimate outcome of an assessment.
Rapid growth, firmness, fixation to deeper tissue or pain are reasons for further investigation before any cosmetic removal is discussed.
A lipoma is a benign tumour of mature fat cells sitting in the subcutaneous layer — soft, mobile, and usually painless.
Mobility is the useful sign. A cyst is tethered to the skin and often has a punctum; a lipoma slides beneath it. But a firm, fixed, rapidly enlarging or painful lump is not assumed to be a lipoma at all.
Size, depth, mobility, rate of growth, tenderness, and number. Multiple lipomas warrant a broader look.
Rapid growth, firmness, fixation to deeper tissue or pain are reasons for further investigation before any cosmetic removal is discussed.
Every assessment is carried out personally by Dr Sin Yong, Medical Director. 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza.
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