Lipoma/Cyst Removal Surgery Specialist in Phoenix, AZ

A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that forms between your skin and the muscle layer underneath. These lumps feel doughy and usually aren’t tender, and they move easily with slight pressure. Lipomas are non-cancerous and harmless in most cases. They are often discovered in middle age, and some people have more than one.

Most of the time, lipomas don’t require treatment. However, if a lipoma becomes bothersome, painful, or starts to grow, you can consider surgical removal to alleviate discomfort or address cosmetic concerns. While lipomas typically aren’t harmful, having a doctor evaluate any new or changing lumps is always a good idea to rule out other conditions.

Lipomas are quite common, affecting about 1 in every 1,000 people. These fatty lumps typically appear between the ages of 40 and 60, but they can develop at any age, even being present at birth in some cases. While lipomas can affect people of all genders, they are slightly more common in women.

Although the exact cause of lipomas is not well understood, they tend to run in families, suggesting a possible genetic link. Most people with lipomas do not require treatment unless the lump becomes bothersome, starts to grow, or becomes infected. In such cases, consulting a surgeon regarding surgical removal options is recommended.

Lipomas appear as round or oval-shaped lumps of fatty tissue. They are usually symmetrical. Some other common characteristics of a lipoma include:

• Painless – Lipomas are usually painless; however, if a lump presses on nearby nerves or tissues, it can sometimes cause discomfort or tenderness.
• Encapsulated – Lipomas do not spread to tissues around them.
• Moveable – As lipomas sit just beneath the skin’s surface, they can be easily moved when touched.

Lipomas can develop anywhere on the body, including the arms, back, neck, shoulders, trunk, or forehead. They generally remain small, ranging from about one to three centimeters in diameter, but can occasionally grow larger. In rare cases, lipomas may develop within muscles or internal organs, though this is uncommon. If you notice a new lump on your body, you should see a doctor to have it assessed.

To accurately diagnose a lipoma, healthcare professionals perform a thorough assessment. Your doctor will start with a physical examination, palpating the lump to assess its characteristics, such as its size, shape, and density. If the physical exam isn’t conclusive, your doctor may take a tissue sample, also known as a biopsy. This sample is sent to a lab for further examination to confirm that it is a lipoma and not another type of growth.

While lipomas are generally harmless, there’s a very small chance that a lump resembling a lipoma could be a liposarcoma, a type of cancerous tumor in fatty tissues. Liposarcomas grow rapidly, do not move under the skin, and are usually painful. If your doctor suspects a liposarcoma, a biopsy, MRI, or CT scan will be performed to make a definitive diagnosis.

most cases, treatment is not required for lipomas; however, some circumstances may warrant surgical removal. You should consider having a lipoma removed if it bothers you or your healthcare provider recommends it.

Some people choose to have lipomas removed for cosmetic reasons, especially if the lump is in a visible area and causes self-consciousness. If a lipoma is causing discomfort, pain, or pressure on nearby structures, it’s time to consider surgical removal. Lipomas located in areas where they are easily irritated by clothing or movement can be particularly bothersome.

While most lipomas grow slowly, if you notice a significant increase in size, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider. Rapid growth could indicate the need for removal to prevent complications. If you are bothered by your lipoma or notice it growing, you should speak with our surgeon about whether you are a good candidate for lipoma removal. We are conveniently located at 20333 N 19th Avenue, Ste 230 Phoenix, AZ 85027. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Phoenix AZ, Sun City AZ, Peoria AZ, Surprise AZ, Glendale AZ, Scottsdale AZ, and surrounding areas.