Lipomas
Lipomas are benign fatty tumors forming soft, movable lumps under the skin. They are the most common soft-tissue tumor.
Symptoms
Soft, doughy, painless, mobile lumps beneath the skin, usually one to five centimeters. Most common on trunk, upper arms, and thighs.
Causes and risk
Genetic factors play a role. Not caused by being overweight and do not become malignant. Some familial syndromes produce multiple lipomas.
How it is evaluated
Clinical for typical lumps. Ultrasound or MRI for deep or large lipomas. Excised specimens sent for histology.
Treatment
Most require no treatment. Surgical excision under local anesthesia in our Chicago office for symptomatic or growing lipomas.