Lipoma

Benign tumours composed of adipose tissue.

Can occur in any area of the body, although they are most frequently found on the trunk or proximal limbs. Most commonly found in subcutaneous tissues.

Rare sites include the gastrointestinal tract, adrenal glands, parotid glands, parapharyngeal space, breast, mediastinum, pleura, airways, heart, superior vena cava, brain, and intraspinal areas.

Cutaneous lipomas are usually soft, mobile, and superficial.

Lipomas have no malignant potential. However, the differential diagnosis includes liposarcomas, which are malignant, so this must always be carefully considered.

Surgical resection is indicated for symptomatic relief, pathological confirmation, or cosmetic reasons, or if there is an increase in size.

Lipomas are slow-growing, benign, mesenchymal tumours that form well-circumscribed, lobulated lesions composed of adipocytes. They are demarcated from surrounding fat by a thin, fibrous capsule. They comprise 50% of soft-tissue neoplasms and are commonly encountered by primary care physicians, surgeons, and pathologists.[1]Bancroft LW, Kransdorf MJ, Peterson JJ, et al. Benign fatty tumors: classification, clinical course, imaging appearance, and treatment. Skeletal Radiol. 2006;35:719-733. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16927086?tool=bestpractice.com Lipomas usually arise in the subcutaneous tissues and may occur in any area of the body, although they most frequently occur on the trunk and proximal limbs. They have no malignant potential, but the differential diagnosis includes liposarcomas, which do have this potential, so this must always be considered.[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Subcutaneous lipoma on the trunkFrom the collection of Dr Kimberly Moore Dalal and Dr Steven D. DeMartini; used with permission [Citation ends].