Lipoma is a benign disease characterized by the development of fatty neoplasm. It is most often located in subcutaneous fat, but it can also grow in internal organs. The disease is most characteristic of elderly and mature people.
Externally, the lipoma looks like a tight knot, does not cause unpleasant sensations when palpated. The knot is not soldered to the skin and surrounding tissues. Lipoma sizes vary, as a rule, do not exceed 2 centimeters, however, there are also large sizes.
Sometimes patients note that in different periods of time the lipoma can change its size, periodically increasing or decreasing. The number of lipomas is purely individual – most often a lipoma is a single neoplasm. A favorite localization is the back, chest, abdomen, occasionally on the extremities.
CAUSES OF LIPOMA
The reasons for the development of such a benign neoplasm have not yet been fully studied. Experts believe that the main problem lies in the pathology of embryogenesis. Also, a possible cause may be associated with a violation of metabolic processes (metabolism), hormonal dysfunction, menopause (in women).
Some diseases can become a trigger for the development of lipomas – among them – diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, pituitary gland.
SYMPTOMS OF LIPOMA
As a rule, the lipoma does not manifest itself in any way. The lipoma looks like a tight knot, does not cause unpleasant sensations when palpated. The knot is not soldered to the skin and surrounding tissues. Lipoma sizes vary, as a rule, do not exceed 2 centimeters, however, there are also large sizes.
A lipoma can form anywhere where there is adipose tissue. The consistency of the neoplasm is soft and elastic. Sometimes lipomas can cause discomfort to the patient, become dense. Basically, lipomas cause only cosmetic discomfort.
Lipomas of internal organs can reach a significant size, which is why they are detected only after they have grown significantly in size.
The form of lipoma, when multiple small lipomas are formed, can often be painful due to the proximity of lipomas to nerve endings.
DIAGNOSIS OF LIPOMAS
Interview, examination of the patient, collection of family history.
Physical examination, palpation.
Ultrasound diagnostics.
Radiography.
Biopsy.
TREATMENT OF LIPOMA
Treatment of lipomas can only be with the help of surgical intervention. But in order to remove the lipoma, there must be indications for this:
Large lipoma size.
Rapidly increasing size of the neoplasm.
The proximity of the lipoma to the nerves with compression or to the internal organs with a violation of the functions of this organ.
A cosmetic defect that causes psychological discomfort to the patient.
If the lipoma is small, surgical intervention is performed under the influence of local anesthesia. During the operation, the lipoma is removed directly by the capsule. Only this method can guarantee that there will be no relapses of lipoma development in the future.
Also, minimally invasive methods of lipoma removal are widely used at present, during which the lipoma is destroyed inside the capsule under the control of a mini-endoscope. This surgical method is less traumatic, however, it is not as radical as the first one.
Another way is liposuction of lipoma. With the help of a special device – a lipoaspirator, the contents of the capsule are removed through a micro-hole. This method is the most humane in relation to residual phenomena in the form of cosmetic defects, however, with this method of removal, relapses occur most often.
