adipose tissue tumor, fat, tumor, skin, adipose tissue tumor
Definition
A lipoma is a benign tumor caused by the proliferation of adipocytes. Consequently, a lipoma can in principle occur anywhere in the human body where fatty tissue is present, including in the muscles or internal organs. Most frequently, however, lipomas are located superficially in the subcutaneous fatty tissue, i.e. directly below the skin surface, where they are usually clearly visible.
The majority of these usually displaceable, prallelastic nodules are located on the trunk, i.e. on the back, chest, thighs, stomach, arms or neck. More rarely, they occur on the head or on hands and feet. Most lipomas develop on the trunk, i.e. on the back/spine, chest or stomach, or on the extremities close to the trunk, such as shoulder/upper arm or thigh.
In all these areas, if necessary, an operation is usually well performed. However, overweight patients present a difficulty with lipomas on the abdomen, as their layer of fatty tissue is thicker and more difficult to penetrate. In the above-mentioned areas, however, lipomas can be located not only superficially under the skin, but also deeper, although this accounts for only about 1 to 2% of all lipomas.
It is assumed, however, that the actual numbers may be higher, as such lipomas are often not noticed and are only noticed as a chance finding in the course of examinations for other causes. Just under half of this special form of lipoma is located in the thigh (lipoma thigh), in this case mostly in the muscle. Deep-seated (also: infiltrating) lipomas also occur occasionally in the trunk.
Since there is a larger space in which they can expand, lipomas in the thoracic or abdominal cavity can reach almost unbelievable sizes. For example, the removal of a 19 kilogram lipoma from the retroperitoneum (the area behind the peritoneum) has been described. Such giant lipomas can sometimes push off organs, which can then lead to pain or loss of function. The surgical removal of such lipomas is then again a difficult issue and, in contrast to the operation of subcutaneous lipomas, must in any case be performed under general anesthesia during an inpatient stay.
