Soft-tissue surgery
Lipomas and fatty lumps – when should a lump be assessed?
Lipomas are common benign fatty lumps. They usually grow slowly and feel soft, but a new or changing lump should not be self-diagnosed.
Short answer
A typical lipoma is soft, mobile and slow-growing. A rapidly growing, deep, hard, large or painful lump should be assessed before removal.
What does a lipoma feel like?
It is usually a soft or rubbery lump beneath the skin and can often be moved slightly. Common sites include the neck, back, shoulders, arms and thighs.
When should it be examined?
Assessment is appropriate when the diagnosis is uncertain or the lump changes.
- Rapid growth
- Around five centimetres or larger
- Deep or fixed position
- Hard or irregular texture
- Pain or skin change
Removal under local anaesthesia
Superficial, well-defined lipomas can often be removed under local anaesthesia. Larger, deep or atypical lesions may require imaging or referral before surgery. Tissue analysis is used when clinically indicated.
Next step
Have your symptoms assessed by a specialist surgeon
No referral needed. Short lead times to assessment and treatment in Karlstad, Sweden.
Frequently asked questions
Can a lipoma become cancer?
Ordinary lipomas are benign, but atypical lumps must be assessed because other tumours can look similar.
Can it return?
Recurrence after complete removal is uncommon, although new lipomas may develop elsewhere.
Is it always sent for analysis?
This depends on size, appearance and clinical findings. Analysis is important when there is uncertainty.
Sources
This text is patient information and does not replace an individual medical assessment.