Lipomas are benign tumors made of fatty tissue. They are usually soft and mobile to the touch and do not cause pain. This tumor usually occurs under the skin, but can sometimes appear in deeper tissue. According to statistics, most lipomas are less than 5 centimeters in size, and common locations include the upper back, shoulders and abdomen. Some people even develop multiple lipomas at the same time, but the cause remains unclear.
Known risk factors include family history, obesity and lack of exercise.
Lipomas are generally more common in adults between the ages of 40 and 60, and are more common in men than women. They are the most common non-cancerous soft tissue tumor, and the word "lipoma" was first used to describe this tumor dating back to 1709.
There are many different subtypes of lipoma, including but not limited to adenolipoma, angiolipiomyoma, etc. These different types of lipomas can look, be located, and even feel different. Take subepidermal lipomas, for example. They are the most common and usually lie just below the surface of the skin.
Certain lipomas develop under certain conditions, such as lipomas above the spinal cord, which are very rare congenital brain conditions.
Although the development of lipoma is not necessarily directly related to genetics, certain genetic disorders, such as familial multiple lipoma, significantly increase the risk of lipoma. Scientists' research shows that certain genes, especially the obesity-related HMG I-C gene, may be related to the formation of lipoma. This finding raises questions about why lipomas appear more frequently in certain families.
For the diagnosis of lipoma, doctors usually conduct a physical examination. Although in rare cases a tissue biopsy or imaging test (such as an MRI) may be required, most cases can be diagnosed after initial testing. Treatment-wise, if the lipoma is not causing pain or discomfort, no special treatment is usually required. Most lipomas are treated with observation.
If the lipoma interferes with the patient's activities, the doctor may recommend surgical removal.
Although lipomas are not usually life-threatening, some internal lipomas can cause problems such as bleeding, ulceration, or painful blockage. In fact, it is extremely rare for a lipoma to transform into a liposarcoma, and most liposarcoma do not originate from an existing benign lesion. This makes you think: Has anyone close to you experienced lipoma?
Although lipoma is a benign tumor, the relationship between its causes and genetics is still a hot topic in current medical research. With a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of lipoma formation, we may be able to find more effective prevention and treatment methods in the future. Have you ever considered the connection between lipomas in your body and family inheritance?