Condition- Lipoma

Question 1

What are lipomas

Answer 1

Slow-growing, benign adipose tumours that are most often found in the subcutaneous tissues

Question 2

List three conditions that lipomas are often associated with

Answer 2

• familial multiple lipomatosis
• Gardner’s syndrome
• Dercum’s disease

Question 3

What are liposarcomas? Which part of the body are they normally found?

Answer 3

rare malignant tumour of adipose tissue often found in retorperitoneum, on shoulders and lower extermeties

Question 4

Wha features of a lipoma may suggest its transformation into a malignant liposarcoma?

Answer 4

• Rapid growth
• hardening
• Vascularisation

Question 5

Describe the characteristics of a lipoma lump

Answer 5

• Smooth, round margins
• Soft/ firm
• Mobile+ Can move skin over it
• Skin coloured
• Fluctuant – bouncy when pressing
• Usually painless
• <5cm diameter

Question 6

When might a lipoma become painful/symptomatic

Answer 6

Nerve compression

Question 7

How would you investigate a pt presenting with a lump thought to be a lipoma?

Answer 7

• Clinical diagnosis
• USS
• Core biopsy
• MRI/ CT if any doubt