A lipoma on the abdomen or abdominal wall is a benign tumor originating from the subcutaneous fatty tissue, which can take many different forms. It occurs relatively frequently in humans and can occur either singly or in larger numbers. It consists of mature fat tissue cells and can usually be easily distinguished from the surrounding tissue, which is due, among other things, to the capsule and the larger lobes of the fat cells.
Symptoms
Lipoma on the abdomen usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 60, but it can also develop sooner or later, for example in the context of childhood lipomatosis. As it originates from the subcutaneous fatty tissue, it lies relatively superficially under the skin. The lipoma is characterized above all by its sharp edges, its soft to plump elastic consistency, and by the fact that it can be easily moved under the skin.
It can occur singly or several times and can manifest itself in different parts of the abdomen or in other parts of the body, such as the arms. The lipoma on the abdomen is normally not painful, but in some cases it can cause pain, depending on where it is located. Since it usually grows very slowly, it is only noticed once it reaches a certain size.
The size of the lipoma can vary greatly, but in the end it is often somewhat larger than it can be felt through the skin from the outside. A lipoma on the abdomen/abdominal wall can cause pain in some cases. The reasons for this are either that it is located near a nerve and irritates it, that it is so large that it presses on other organs and tightens the organ capsule, or that it is located in places of high stress and pain is caused by the shear forces at the site. This pain can only be relieved to a limited extent with medication. Surgical removal of the lipoma on the abdomen can then help.