What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign swelling (tumour) under the skin, made up of fat cells. Lipomas are very common and can grow to more than 10 cm in size.
What does a lipoma look like?
A lipoma lies just under the skin, so you only see a little mound of skin that is pushed up by the lipoma. The skin itself is not changed.
How does it develop?
The mechanism by which lipomas develop is not yet fully clear.
How is it treated?
A lipoma can be removed surgically. Usually an incision is made in the skin directly over the lipoma; the lipoma is then freed from the surrounding tissue, carefully cut through at its base and lifted out of the skin, after which the skin is closed with stitches.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if a soft lump under the skin grows quickly, becomes painful or hard, or if you would like it assessed or removed.