Diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis of a lipoma of the abdomen/abdominal wall, it is first helpful to take a medical history in order to obtain information from the person affected about the onset and speed of growth of the lipoma and other symptoms that have arisen in this context. In addition, the abdominal lipoma should be examined and palpated during a physical examination in order to assess its localization, size, displacement to the skin and consistency. An examination with ultrasound can also complement the diagnosis to a great extent, as the extent of the lipoma can be well visualized and even the border to the surrounding tissue and the coarse internal structure can ideally be seen.
If one decides to take a tissue sample from the lipoma or even to remove it completely, the lipoma is always examined histologically. The aim of this is to determine the dignity of the tissue, i.e. whether it is benign or even malignant and from which tissue it ultimately originates. This means that by histological examination of the lipoma on the abdomen, the diagnosis can be made definitively.
Prognosis
The prognosis of an abdominal lipoma is usually quite good. However, as an affected person, one should still have it clarified and observed in order to be able to intervene in time in case of a change, which rarely occurs. As lipomas rarely cause any discomfort, they are easy to live with and even after the removal of a lipoma there are hardly any problems apart from a scar and the risk of wound healing disorders or infection. However, recurrences may occur from time to time, i.e. the formation of a new lipoma.
Prophylaxis
Since the causes for the development of a lipoma on the abdomen/abdominal wall are unknown and only a genetic predisposition has been shown to date, prophylaxis is currently not known. Women with lipomas on the abdomen/abdominal wall may experience discomfort and pain during pregnancy because the abdominal skin is stretched considerably due to the increase in size of the uterus. In addition, depending on its size, the lipoma on the abdomen can put pressure on the uterus and the growing child. In order to prevent such complaints, it would be advantageous to have the lipoma clarified by a doctor before or at the beginning of pregnancy and removed if necessary.
