Lipomas are lumps seen on various parts of the body under the skin, which move under the skin. Soft lump under skin are fat deposits and are harmless. There is a layer of fat under the skin which gives protection to the skin and body from excess cold or heat. This layer protects the internal organs of the body as well. But the fat may deposit in lumps under the skin and over the muscles on various parts of the body. According to statistics one in 1000 people has this condition.
Lipoma is more common in women when compared to men. It is more often seen in people between the age of 40 to 60 years and may be seen on any part of the body. But it is more common in the upper body such as the sides of neck and trunk, sides of chest or back, on arms or on the thighs.
The exact reason for the formation of such fat deposits called lipoma is not yet known, but there is a familial tendency to getting this condition. If there is a tendency of such lipoma in your maternal or paternal family, you too have a tendency for such lipoma. It may be seen in obese people or in slim ones alike. This is usually seen during middle age, but may be seen in young children also.
These lumps are not painful and often do not lead to any discomfort. but when they occur over some major nerves or blood vessel of the body, they put pressure on it and may lead to pain and swelling in the region. Lipomas are usually less than 2 inches in size, but lipomas as big as 6 inches have also been reported.
An experienced doctor can examine a mass and diagnose if it is a lipoma or not. Also, there are a variety of tests available for conformation of the composition of the lump. One can also perform an ultrasound scan of the lump to differentiate it from any other kind of growth. A biopsy or fine needle aspiration cytology, MRI scan, etc. also are diagnostic procedures that can be done.
Medicinal management of the lipoma is possible, but for a quick relief, it can be easily removed by a simple surgery too specially when it causes discomfort due to its position over a nerve, blood vessel, muscle or joint. Lipomas often occur repeatedly in various parts of the body in people who have a tendency to it.
Regular exercises can prevent excess fat deposition in the body and thereby control the tendency of forming lipoma. Other than that, it is not practically possible to completely prevent the occurrence of lipoma.
The lipoma would never enter our blood vessel and cause block to the heart. Some people may have lipomas around some internal organs like the heart or on the muscle walls of the heart, and may have some complications accordingly. Other than this rare occurrence, it is not much harmful. The chances of lipoma turning cancerous is very rare, but in people with a history of cancer, such lumps on various parts of the body have a 1% chance of turning into a soft cell carcinoma known as the liposarcoma.