Definition
A lipoma is a benign fat tumor, which in most cases is located in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. They are small, slow-growing, elastic nodules that can vary greatly in size. The lipomas are surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue that separates the nodule from the rest of the tissue.
The small fat nodules occur mainly on the thighs, arms, spine or abdomen, but they can also be located in the muscles, breast or internal organs. Deeper-seated lipomas are much rarer and rarely show clinical relevance. Often they are only discovered by chance during a radiological examination.
These deep-seated lipomas are located in the extremities, such as the thigh, mostly in the muscle area and can grow into the muscles. If several lipomas are present in a limited area of the body, for example on the thigh, this is known as lipomatosis. In rare cases, these fat nodes can degenerate and develop into a malignant tumor, the so-called liposarcoma.
Cause
Since the lipoma on the thigh usually causes no pain, it is usually discovered due to a small thickening in the subcutis. For cosmetic reasons and in rare cases due to a mechanical impairment when walking or sitting, the doctor is consulted. A very small lipoma is difficult to distinguish and distinguish from the surrounding fat layer.
An appointment should be made with a dermatologist to make a diagnosis. With the help of an ultrasound examination, the position and size of the lipoma can be accurately assessed. It is also possible to recognize whether muscle structures or nerve cords of the thigh are also affected or constricted.
In order to make an exact diagnosis, it is possible to puncture the lipoma. Here, a small sample is taken from the affected area of the subcutaneous fatty tissue on the thigh with the help of a puncture needle under local anesthesia. This allows a differentiation from other benign changes. If there is a concrete suspicion of a malignant change in the form of a liposarcoma, or if the lipomas are very large and grow deep into the surrounding structures of the thigh, a computer tomography should be performed for further diagnosis and clarification.
