Lipoma Diagnosis & Removal in Perth
Lipoma diagnosis and removal in Perth with sarcoma specialist Dr Rhys Clark — how a benign fatty lump is distinguished from a liposarcoma, and when surgery is worth considering.
What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour that is made up of mature adipocytes (fat cells). These soft fatty lumps are the most common form of ‘lump’ in patients and are usually found in people over fifty. Lipomas are typically painless and usually grow on the back, abdomen, or limbs. What causes lipomas is still being researched; however, they are sometimes associated with an incident of trauma (i.e. bumping your leg or taking a fall). Lipomas are often less than 5cms in diameter, however in some cases they can grow above 20cms.
How is it diagnosed?
Identifying the nature of your lump is certainly important. You will be asked some questions in order to begin the diagnosis process: When did you first notice it? Is there any associated pain? Is it getting bigger? A physical exam will also be required. This can help determine whether the lump is between the skin and the muscle layer, or if it is a deeper lesion. While physical examination and family history are important, it is not possible to confirm a lipoma diagnosis on this alone. If the lump is growing at a concerning rate, causing pain, or is larger than a golf ball; you may be referred to a sarcoma specialist such as Dr Rhys Clark. These factors do not always indicate that the lump is metastatic but there should be a formal diagnosis to assess it.
“An ultrasound can help determine whether the lump is solid, or fluid filled (like a cyst). However, an MRI is more effective…”
Deciding on surgery
If MRI imaging appears to suggest that your lump looks like a simple lipoma it may be safe to consider living with the lesion, provided you undergo regular monitoring and examination. It is worth noting that sometimes it is not possible to make a clear diagnosis from MRI scans alone and a tissue sample may be required.
“It can often be difficult to determine a simple lipoma from a liposarcoma…”
If the diagnosis of a simple lipoma has been confirmed, you may consider having it surgically removed. The chances of a lipoma reappearing after surgical removal is uncommon. If you opt for surgical removal, the good news is that it is usually a simple day surgery and recovery time is minimal. You should only require two to three days off work depending on your job.
“Finding a lump of any kind can be understandably distressing. It’s something we all hope we never have…”
What is a lipoma?+
A benign, non-cancerous tumour made up of mature fat cells. Lipomas are the most common form of lump patients present with, usually found in people over fifty. They are typically painless and most often grow on the back, abdomen or limbs. Most are less than 5 cm across, though some grow beyond 20 cm.
How is a lipoma diagnosed?+
History and physical examination come first — when you noticed it, whether it is painful, whether it is growing, and whether it sits between the skin and muscle or deeper. A lipoma cannot be confirmed on examination alone. Ultrasound can show whether the lump is solid or fluid-filled, but MRI is more effective. Sometimes MRI alone is not conclusive and a tissue sample is needed.
When should a lump be checked by a specialist?+
If it is growing at a concerning rate, causing pain, or is larger than a golf ball, referral to a sarcoma specialist is appropriate. These features do not necessarily mean the lump is malignant, but they warrant a formal diagnosis.
Can a lipoma be cancerous?+
A lipoma itself is benign. However, it can be difficult to distinguish a simple lipoma from a liposarcoma — a malignant tumour — which is why imaging and sometimes a tissue sample are used to confirm the diagnosis.
What does lipoma removal involve?+
If a simple lipoma has been confirmed, removal is usually straightforward day surgery with minimal recovery — generally two to three days off work depending on your job. Recurrence after surgical removal is uncommon. If imaging suggests a simple lipoma, it may also be reasonable to leave it in place with regular monitoring.