If you have noticed a soft, moveable lump beneath your skin, it can be a worrying discovery. For most people, however, the cause is entirely benign. One of the most common explanations for this type of lump is a lipoma - a slow-growing, non-cancerous collection of fatty tissue that sits just below the surface of the skin.
This guide explains what a lipoma is, why they form, how to tell one apart from other types of skin lesion, and what your options are if you would like it removed.
A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth made up of fatty tissue. Lipomas are among the most common soft tissue conditions in adults and the vast majority are completely harmless.
They typically feel soft and doughy to the touch, move easily when pressed, and have well-defined edges. They are usually painless, though larger lipomas or those positioned near nerves can occasionally cause discomfort.
Lipomas can appear almost anywhere on the body where fat cells are present. The most common locations are the upper back, shoulders, neck, arms, and thighs, though they can also develop on the torso and, less commonly, on the face or scalp.
The exact cause of lipomas is not fully understood. They tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic component, and are more common in adults between the ages of 40 and 60. They affect men and women roughly equally.
Certain conditions are associated with a higher likelihood of developing multiple lipomas. Familial multiple lipomatosis is an inherited condition in which many lipomas develop across the body. Dercum's disease involves the growth of painful lipomas in adults, typically around the trunk. Madelung's disease is a rarer condition characterised by the growth of lipomas around the neck and shoulders.
For most people, however, a lipoma appears as an isolated occurrence with no identifiable underlying cause.
While a lipoma has fairly characteristic features - soft, mobile, painless, and just under the skin - it is important not to self-diagnose. Other types of lump can feel similar, including sebaceous cysts and, in rare cases, more serious conditions that warrant prompt investigation.
As a general rule, any new lump should be assessed by a medical professional. In particular, you should seek advice if the lump is hard or fixed in place, grows rapidly, causes pain without being pressed, feels warm to the touch, or appears alongside other symptoms such as fatigue or unexplained weight loss.
A doctor can usually identify a lipoma through physical examination alone. In some cases, an ultrasound scan may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes.
In most cases, lipomas do not require treatment. If the lipoma is small, painless, and not causing any distress, a watch-and-wait approach is entirely appropriate.
However, many people choose to have their lipoma removed for practical or cosmetic reasons. A lipoma in a prominent location - on the neck, shoulder, or forearm, for example - can be visible through clothing or uncomfortable when pressing against furniture or a seatbelt. Some lipomas grow gradually over time and become more of a nuisance as they increase in size.
Removal is also advisable if you are unsure whether the lump is a lipoma, if it has changed in shape or texture, or if it is causing persistent discomfort.
The standard treatment for a lipoma is a straightforward surgical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic. The area is numbed, a small incision is made over the lipoma, and the fatty tissue is carefully removed. The wound is then closed with sutures and covered with a dressing.
The procedure is typically completed within 30 to 60 minutes depending on the size and location of the lipoma. Most patients return to normal daily activities within a day or two, though strenuous activity should be avoided for a short period afterwards.
The excised tissue is usually sent for histological analysis - a laboratory examination to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any unusual features.
At Minor Surgery Clinic, we provide lipoma removal at our clinics on Harley Street in London and in Bexleyheath, Kent. Both locations are staffed by experienced surgeons who specialise in minor surgical procedures and skin lesion removal.
We offer an initial consultation to assess your lipoma, discuss your options, and answer any questions you may have. If removal is the right course of action, appointments can usually be arranged promptly at whichever location is most convenient for you - whether that is our central London clinic on Harley Street or our Kent clinic in Bexleyheath.
Whether your lipoma is a recent discovery or something you have been monitoring for some time, our team is here to help. We will guide you through the process with care and clarity, ensuring you feel fully informed at every stage.
If you have a lump you would like assessed, or if you are ready to discuss lipoma removal, you can book a consultation at Minor Surgery Clinic by contacting our Harley Street or Bexleyheath team. Early assessment provides peace of mind and ensures the most straightforward path to treatment if removal is the right choice for you.