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Lipoma

Last reviewed: 8 Apr 2025
Last updated: 03 Oct 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • cutaneous mass <5 cm diameter
  • soft cutaneous mass
  • mobile cutaneous mass
  • superficial cutaneous mass
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • painless cutaneous mass
  • gastrointestinal obstruction
  • gastrointestinal bleeding
Full details

Risk factors

  • genetic predisposition
  • trauma
  • heavy alcohol consumption
Full details

Diagnostic tests

Tests to consider

  • ultrasound
  • MRI
  • CT scan
  • core needle biopsy
  • incisional biopsy
  • excisional biopsy
  • upper gastrointestinal contrast study
  • gastrointestinal endoscopy
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

superficial cutaneous lipoma on trunk or extremity

Dercum disease

symptomatic gastrointestinal lipoma

lipoma in atypical site

Contributors

Authors

Medical Director, Surgical Oncology

General Surgery

Mills-Peninsula Hospital

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Burlingame

CA

Disclosures

KMD is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Staff Pathologist

Oroville Hospital

Oroville

CA

Disclosures

SDD declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Associate Professor of Surgery

City of Hope National Medical Center

Duarte

CA

Disclosures

WT declares that he has no competing interests.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Primary Care Dermatology Society. Lipoma. Nov 2021 [internet publication].Full text

Noebauer-Huhmann IM, Weber MA, Lalam RK, et al. Soft tissue tumors in adults: ESSR-approved guidelines for diagnostic imaging. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2015 Dec;19(5):475-82. Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.

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