Symptoms

Lipomatosis is primarily manifested by significant increases in fat tissue in various parts of the body. Depending on the type, these occur mainly on the head and neck (type I), in the shoulder and upper extremities (type II), on the abdomen, pelvis and lower extremities (type III), and on internal organs (type IV). A rare special form of lipoma is found only on the soles of the feet.

The tumors are difficult to differentiate and are usually considered normal weight gain at the beginning of the disease. Relatively quickly, however, this goes beyond a normal level and significant tissue proliferation becomes apparent. Lipomatosis usually occurs symmetrically in the affected regions.

Particularly in the shoulder type, observers initially have the impression from the outside that it is the muscle mass of an athletic person with broad shoulders, so that one speaks of a pseudoathletic habitus.If the tumors of a lipomatosis are palpated, they feel rough and firm, sometimes a doughy consistency is described. In addition to these general symptoms, there are also special limitations depending on the type. The Madelung fat neck can be so pronounced that the compression of the trachea and esophagus can lead to breathing or swallowing difficulties. A psychosocial aspect is often added in the course of the disease. Patients with lipomatosis often suffer from the cosmetic consequences caused by the clearly visible lipomas.

Lipomatosis of the pancreas

Lipomatosis of the pancreas results in a diffuse increase of fatty tissue within the organ. In this process, the glandular tissue is increasingly replaced by fat cells and separated from these into larger and smaller parts. It is suspected that dead glandular tissue is replaced by fatty tissue or that the fat cells are deposited in the intermediate connective tissue of the pancreas, making the organ fatty over time.

However, fatty deposits do not normally impair organ function, which is why pancreatic lipomatosis does not necessarily require treatment. Often, fatty degeneration of the pancreas is asymptomatic and therefore difficult to diagnose. If the doctor performs an ultrasound of the upper abdomen as part of the examination, he usually immediately recognizes the lipomatosis on the basis of the typical tissue changes, which can be very clearly visualized in the ultrasound.

The causes that lead to the development of lipomas in the pancreas are still unknown. However, it is suspected that there is a connection between lipomatosis and certain metabolic diseases, namely diabetes and obesity. If treatment of pancreatic lipomatosis is necessary, it is either conservative or surgical, depending on its severity. Conservative therapy means weight loss and a strict diet that reduces fat absorption, which helps to reduce pancreatic obesity.