A lipoma is a ‘fatty’ lump that commonly occurs under the skin.

A lipoma is a non-cancerous lump, though in extremely rare cases, a lipoma has been described to transform to a cancerous lump called ‘liposarcoma’.

It occurs in 1% of the population and is the commonest tumour arising from soft tissue with equal incidence in males and females.

A lipoma can occur in any part of the body, but is common on limbs, the shoulder and the back.

It is normally slow-growing and painless and presents as a soft lobulated lump under the skin. The size can vary from under a centimetre to more than 10 centimetres in size. Occasionally, lipomas can be multiple and may even run in the family. Multiple lipomas should be distinguished from a rare condition known as neurofibromatosis, which also presents with multiple lumps under the skin, but these originate from nerve endings.

Lipomas are usually removed for cosmetic reasons. Other indications for removal include pain (rare), rapid growth, hindrance in carrying out daily activities and concerns about malignant transformation.

Excision of lipoma is a straightforward day case procedure that can be performed under local anaesthetic.

The skin is sutured using a dissolvable stitch that does not require removal. Occasionally, skin glue is used to close small wounds after surgery.

The patients can go home after a few hours and can normally return to work immediately.

The wound is checked after a few weeks following the surgery. No further follow up is normally required if the healing is satisfactory.

Our Surgeons have extensive experience in removing lipomas with minimal or no scarring.