lipoma-removal

What is a Lipoma?

Lipoma is a growth of a lump or mass on the skin which is made up of fat cells. Sometimes this lump is misidentified by others as something malignant but in fact it’s a benign, noncancerous, slow-growing tumor. These growths may occur in different parts of the body and the possibility of multiple growths is to be expected. Lipomas are moveable even with just from a slight touch or pressure. People of all ages are prone to lipoma formation, but are common in middle age.

Causes of lipoma

The exact cause of lipoma is unknown; however several factors have been identified to trigger its occurrence. These are

  • Injury to any part of the body may cause development of lipoma in that area.
  • Heredity – Lipoma is believed to run in families.
  • In conditions of Gardner syndrome and hereditary, multiple lipomatosis triggers the development of multiple lipomas.

Symptoms of lipoma

Lipoma often goes unnoticed until it gets large enough to become visible. Symptoms of lipoma are many. These consist of:

  • Lipomas are generally small in size, but in certain cases can grow as big as 20 cm and weigh several kg.
  • They are soft and doughy to touch
  • They are easily movable with slight finger pressure
  • Lipomas can sometimes get painful; when they grow in size and exert pressure on the neighboring nerves.
  • These are situated just beneath the skin and are easily felt by mild finger touch

Types of lipoma

Lipomas are of various types based on the way they appear under the microscope. The variation is basically in the way they appear but not much difference exists in the composition. The various types include :

  1. Adenolipomas – This is associated with the eccrine sweat glands.
  2. Conventional – This is the most common type and consists of mature white fat.
  3. Hibernoma – This is made up of brown fat.
  4. Fibrolipoma – This is made up of fat and fibrous tissue.
  5. Angiolipoma – This type largely consists of blood vessels and fat tissues.
  6. Myelolipoma – This is made up of fat and those tissues that make blood vessels.
  7. Spindle cell lipoma – Cells that are rod shaped. Such type of lipoma is seen in the elderly population; men being the most affected group.
  8. Intradermal spindle cell lipoma – Such type is seen most commonly in women.
  9. Pleomorphic lipoma – These are of different shapes and sizes.
  10. Atypical lipoma – This is made up of deeper fat with large number of cells.
  11. Neural lipoma – Made up of fibro – fatty tissue.

Treatment

The single or multiple lipomas can be removed safely and effectively by liposuction. The VASER liposuction has added advantage of melting the fat content by ultrasonic energy and facilitating its smooth removal. Mostly it is done under local anesthesia .after administration of local anesthesia with a very fine needle , the next step is making a small puncture in hidden areas and infiltration of tumescent solution so that bleeding and pain is less. The Vaser probe is inserted to loosen all the dense fat and even breaking the covering. Then the hollow cannula is connected to high negative pressure to remove all the fat contents. As the cannula is quite long in length so it can cover many lipomas through a small puncture.

Advantage of Vaser liposuction for multiple lipomas removal

  • Minimal pain and minimal side effects,
  • Early recovery and same day discharge
  • Multiple located lipomas are treated by making one puncture in hidden areas so no visible scarring. No need for separate cut for each lipoma
  • Can be done under local anesthesia and can resume work early
  • Complete removal of fat and its covering so no chances of recurrence
  • Can be combined with liposuction of other parts with lipoma removal

Side effects

There is no everlasting risk or complication of this procedure. There are few temporary side effects like pain, swelling and bruises after the procedure which stays for around 5 to 7 days. The necessary medicines are prescribed for 7 days so that these will be very minimal.

Lipoma Removal Cost

The cost of lipoma removal in pune depends on the size number and location of lipoma. During your personalized consultation with Dr Prashant, the estimated total cost of your procedure will be given.

FAQS

What is Lipoma

A Lipoma is basically a benign growth composed of fat tissues that can develop anywhere in the body. Lipoma grows just beneath the layer of the skin and it is the most common form of soft tissue tumor

Is lipoma harmful?

It is non – cancerous in nature and usually causes no harm to the body. These can be removed by the process of excision if they grow in size or gets painful. Chances of lipomas turning cancerous are very little.

Where lipoma can occur

Lipomas can occur anywhere in the body, but the most common areas are the armpit, torso, neck, upper portion of the thighs, chest and upper arms. Middle aged individuals (40 – 60 years) are highly susceptible to develop lipoma. Lipomas are generally pea sized and may reach up to 3 cm. They grow very slowly and are movable, having rubber like consistency.