What Is a Lipoma?

If you’ve noticed a soft, movable lump somewhere under your skin — on your back, shoulder, neck, or arm — there’s a good chance it’s a lipoma. They’re very common, and most are completely harmless. But it makes sense to want to understand what you’re dealing with.

What Exactly Is a Lipoma?

A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth made up of fat cells. It forms in the soft tissue layer between your skin and the muscle beneath it. Lipomas grow slowly — often over years — and they typically cause no pain or other symptoms.

They’re also surprisingly common. About one in every 100 people develops at least one lipoma at some point in their life, and some people develop several. They can appear at any age but are most often seen in adults between 40 and 60.

You’ll usually find them on the:

• Upper back and shoulders
• Neck and base of skull
• Upper arms
• Abdomen and torso
• Thighs

What Does a Lipoma Feel Like?

Most lipomas are soft and doughy to the touch. They move easily when you press on them and typically have smooth borders. They don’t usually hurt when you push on them, though deeper or larger lipomas can sometimes cause mild discomfort.

They also tend to stay the same size for long stretches of time — or grow very slowly. If a lump is growing quickly or feels different from the typical description, that’s worth having evaluated sooner rather than later.

Is a Lipoma the Same as Cancer?

No. Lipomas are not cancer, and they do not become cancer. The concern people often have is about a rare fatty tumor called a liposarcoma, which can sometimes be mistaken for a large lipoma. Liposarcomas are malignant, but they’re also much rarer than lipomas and tend to behave differently — they often grow faster, may feel firmer, and typically appear in deeper locations rather than just under the skin.

If a lump is soft, superficial, and has been slow-growing for years, the odds that it’s a liposarcoma are very low. Still, any lump that’s new or changing deserves a proper evaluation.

When Should You Have a Lipoma Looked At?

You don’t need to rush to a surgeon the moment you notice a soft lump — but you also don’t need to ignore it indefinitely. Consider scheduling an evaluation if your lipoma is:

• Growing noticeably, especially if it changes over weeks or months
• Causing pain or discomfort, either on its own or with pressure
• Bothering you cosmetically, especially in a visible location
• Feeling different than it used to — firmer, less movable, or tender

An in-office consultation is quick and low-pressure. Dr. Ash will examine the lump, discuss your history, and give you a clear picture of your options — whether that’s monitoring it, removing it in-office, or pursuing imaging.

Can a Lipoma Be Removed?

Yes, and it’s a routine procedure when removal is appropriate. Dr. Ash performs lipoma excisions in-office under local anesthesia. The area is numbed, a small incision is made, and the lipoma — along with its capsule — is carefully removed. Most patients drive themselves home and return to normal activities within a day or two.

When the lipoma and its surrounding capsule are fully removed, the chance of it coming back in the same spot is very low.