How to Treat Lipomas

Lipoma are slowly progressing, painless, round lumps of fatty tissues are known as Lipomas, which are present anywhere on the body between your skin and the muscle layer. These nodules are small, measuring around 2 to 4 mm in diameter, soft to the touch, and freely movable on applying slight finger pressure. Lipomas are most commonly seen in the forehead, neck, arms, shoulder, thighs, back, buttocks, and legs. Very rarely, these lumps may grow deep into the internal organs of your body, then they pose difficulty in removing.

The exact cause of lipomas is not known; however, it is believed to be an inherited (passed down from generations) condition which runs in families. There are certain disorders (Gardner’s syndrome, Madelung’s disorder), and risk factors (like trauma, alcohol abuse, obesity, etc.) that predispose the formation of lipomas. Usually, these fatty lumps are harmless and do not cause pain or medical problems, hence not requiring treatment. But removal is recommended if these lumps cause severe pain and discomfort affecting your routine activities and quality of life.

Read on to know how these fatty nodules can be treated effectively through various treatment for Lipoma and home remedies.

When is Treatment Necessary For Lipomas?

Lipomas are benign (non-cancerous), soft or rubbery, slowly progressing lumps of fatty tissues that do not spread to other parts or cause any medical problems.  They generally do not require any treatment except for periodic monitoring to check for signs of severe pain, and enlargement, to rule out malignancy ( cancer-causing ability). However, Lipoma Removal surgeon may recommend the removal of your lipoma in the following situations:

• When the lipoma is present in areas like the forehead, and neck which is aesthetically unpleasant, that lowers your self-confidence and causes distress.
• Presence of multiple lipomas (Lipomatosis) that causes discomfort and limits your routine activities. For example- Lipomatosis of the back can cause problems when you sleep in a supine position, affecting your sleep quality. 
• When lipomas press against a nerve or a blood vessel running through it, it causes severe pain and discomfort.
• When the lipoma is enlarging in size in a short period.
• If your biopsy (a test conducted by studying your tissues under a microscope) report suggests malignancy.

How to Treat Lipomas?

There are various methods of lipoma removal surgery depending on the size and type of lipoma present. These include:

• Surgical excision

• • • This is the best treatment for lipoma removal since the chances of recurrence are minimized, and the lipoma is removed completely.
    • It is an outpatient procedure which takes less than 30 minutes.
    • The affected area is numbed using a local anesthesia, and small incisions (cuts) are made with a scalpel (blade-like surgical instrument). 
    • Minimal incision extraction (If the lipoma is small):
      • Incisions that are made are 2 to 3 mm in width. 
      • Another surgical instrument is inserted into these cuts to slowly break free the lipoma from the surrounding structures and removed as a whole tissue. 
      • This does not require any sutures, and only a waterproof dressing is sufficient.
    • Elliptical incision (If the lipoma is large):
      • The incisions made are almost the size of the lipoma for easy access to remove it. 
      • The wound is closed with sutures which are removed after 7 to 10 days post surgery (if non-resorbable suture material is used). 
      • A waterproof dressing is also placed over the sutures for proper healing. 
    • Endoscopic submucosal dissection:
      • A special tube-like instrument known as endoscope is inserted into the lipoma through a small incision.
      • Another blade-like instrument is inserted into this endoscope to cut the lipoma tissue out.

• Z- incision

• • • This method is commonly used for larger lipomas.
    • Here a Z shaped incision is made into the lipoma to remove the stubborn fatty tissue underneath.

The tissue removed is sent to the lab for biopsy (a lab test that studies a piece of tissue under a microscope) to rule out malignancy.

• Steroid injections

• • Steroid injections are commonly used for lipomas less than 1 inch in diameter.
  • The steroid is injected into the center of the lump, and this procedure is repeated several times at monthly intervals.
  • The volume or dose of steroid injected depends on the size of your lipoma, and the number of injections depends on your response to the previous injections.
  • The steroids cause local fat atrophy, thus shrinking the lipoma.
  • The lipoma is not completely removed, and there is a risk of recurrence.

• Liposuction

• • This treatment is preferred if you do not want any scarring.
  • The area to be treated is numbed, and an incision is made.
  • A solution is injected into this cut, which prevents bleeding and bruising, and most importantly, it helps to break down the fat making it easier to remove (lipolysis). 
  • A thin needle with a long syringe is used to aspirate or suck out the fatty tissue. 

• Enucleation

• • A 3 to 4 mm incision is made over the lipoma to help remove small-sized lipomas.
  • A curette (a surgical instrument used for scraping tissue or debris) is placed inside the incision to break free the lipoma from the surrounding tissue. Then the tumor is enucleated through this incision.

What are the Home Remedies to Treat Lipomas?

Some traditional herbal and plant-based components might be helpful if you develop a lipoma, however there is no scientific evidence to prove it. The following home remedies may help to shrink the lipoma, however they cannot completely cure or prevent lipomas:

• Ointments made of herbs and natural oils

• • • Natural oils like neem and flaxseed can help reduce the inflammation and provide a soothing effect.

• Using chickweed

• • • Chickweed is very useful for fat reduction.
    • This is used in combination with natural oils like neem or flaxseed.

• Turmeric

• • • Turmeric has many healing and antibacterial properties that helps reduce inflammation. 

• Making dietary adjustments

• • Having a healthy, nutritious diet significantly impacts the lipoma treatment.
  • Consume foods rich in antioxidants like berries, bright coloured fruits and green leafy vegetables.
  • Eat fish that is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to decrease inflammation and control the growth of lipomas.
  • Limit your red meat consumption.
  • Switch to organic food to avoid the intake of preservatives and additives.
  • Regular exercise will keep a check on your weight by reducing fat accumulation and increasing fat metabolism.
  • Reduce your consumption of alcohol. 

Takeaway

Lipomas are benign lumps that are not dangerous, so you may not have to get them removed at all. Most often, many people live with lipomas without even noticing them. They usually do not cause any pain, discomfort or medical emergency. Lipomas are generally treated when they cause severe pain or are aesthetically unpleasant. The best treatment for lipoma removal in Bangalore is surgical excision removal surgery since there is a reduced risk of recurrence. However, other treatments like steroid injections and liposuction can be considered if you want to avoid scarring.

If you notice any changes in your existing lipomas or new lumps developing that need removal, consult our healthcare professionals at Medfin.

Disclaimer: 

The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered as a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/ surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.