Treatment/Therapy

Necrosis causes the formation of nodules of dead fatty tissue, which are always benign, do not cause any discomfort and therefore do not usually require treatment. If the lumps become inflamed and cause pain, they can be surgically removed. The problem in diagnosing by palpation is that it is not possible to distinguish between a nodule caused by the death of fatty tissue and a malignant tumor. Only a fine needle biopsy, in which cells are removed from the lump with a thin cannula and then examined under the microscope, or complete removal of the lump, can clearly rule out cancer.

Duration

Fatty tissue necroses usually have a good prognosis. In most cases no therapy is necessary. In a few cases, however, removal may be advisable, e.g. fatty tissue necrosis in the breast. In these cases, surgical removal may be necessary if no clear distinction can be made between fatty tissue necrosis and a possible malignant tumor by imaging techniques. To be on the safe side, the lump or tumor is then removed and an examination of the removed tissue is performed, which then allows a distinction to be made.

Traumatic fat tissue necrosis

Traumatic fat tissue necrosis occurs, for example, when fatty tissue is bruised or contused. This can occur in the course of an accident, for example. As with surgery, this can lead to damage to adipose tissue with subsequent destruction of fat cells and the development of adipose tissue necrosis. Irrespective of its origin (surgery, radiation, traumatic fat tissue necrosis), adipose tissue necrosis usually does not require any therapeutic measures. The necroses are often palpable as nodules under the skin but, regardless of this, are usually considered harmless.

Cyst

When fat cells die off due to trauma or surgery, the fat can liquefy and lead to the formation of so-called oil cysts. These are cavities filled with liquefied fat that often calcify over time. These are mostly benign changes that usually do not require therapy.