Lipoma Treatment by Dr. Artur Henke
What Is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is largely a superficial fatty tumor encased in a capsule. Lipomas grow between the skin and the underlying muscle. They are almost always not cancerous, do not spread extensively, and grow slowly. Patients can develop a lipoma anywhere on the body but they tend to occur on the head, neck, shoulders, and back. They are less common in the armpits, thighs and other parts of the body. About one percent of the US population is affected by lipomas. People aged 40-60 are often affected by lipoma. Rarely a lipoma can be associated with certain genetic disorders.
What Causes Lipoma?
The cause of lipoma is not known but studies suggest a genetic connection in most cases. Some research suggests that a lipoma develops after a trauma to the soft tissues in the area where it next develops. Other risk factor for lipomas include obesity, liver disease, and diabetes. There is also a connection between Madelung’s disease and neck and shoulder lipomas.
Am I a Good Candidate for Lipoma Treatment?
Any patient with a lipoma is a good candidate for a lipoma removal. Patients with lipomas in noticeable areas are ideal candidates for a lipoma removal procedure. Lipoma treatment is best for healthy patients who have no post-surgery healing issues.
Your Consultation
During your consultation, we can diagnose a your lipoma and note its degree of severity. Often, this will involve a thorough examination, measuring the lipoma’s inches in diameter and assessing if it has been growing rapidly or staying around the same size. Typically, non-cancerous lipomas move easily and are not hard or stiff.
If deemed necessary, we might also order testing such as an MRI scan or CT scan. Once we ensure that your lipoma is non-cancerous, we will present a treatment plan to remove your lipoma as safely and efficiently as possible.
Every detail of the treatment plan will be discussed. You will learn about what to expect during the procedure, the steps required for your recovery process, and the potential cost. If you have questions, we will address them properly before we move on with the discussion.
How Is Lipoma Treated?
When it is not a painful lipoma, there is no need for removal. However, when you feel the lipoma is cosmetically unacceptable or if it is symptomatic (such as if blood vessels are present and causing discomfort), it can be removed. Injections into the lipoma and surgical excision are treatment options. Surgical excision is the best alternative to ensure it does not grow back.
Placer Dermatology specializes in the treatment and removal of lipomas and has a multitude of products and solutions to create an effective, individualized plan for you.
Recovery Period
The recovery process of the patient will depend on the type of treatment used to remove the lipoma. For a surgical lipoma removal, the recovery period can be as short as a couple of days. However, the patient may have to wait longer for the surgical area to completely heal (3-4 weeks) before going back to normal physical activities.
Lipoma Treatment Cost
The cost of a lipoma treatment will depend on the type of treatment used. The number of lipomas removed can also affect the overall price of the treatment. We recommend contacting your provider to verify whether the treatment will be covered by your health insurance.
Contact Us
If you are worried about a potential lipoma, visit Placer Dermatology. We provide safe and effective lipoma treatments in Roseville. Contact us today for your appointment!