Question: What can you tell me about treating lipomas without using surgery? How can they be prevented? What causes them?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Benign lipomas are growths of fatty tissue that are soft, easily depressible, and painless. They are usually removed for cosmetic reasons, since it's very rare for them to become malignant, and they appear to be determined by genetics.

There are no non-surgical removal options that I recommend, mainly because of poor cosmetic results and the possibility that — more often than not — some remaining tissue will regrow.

Lipomas may become infected, requiring drainage, and this occasionally wipes out the lining. If properly removed by the surgeon, they will not regrow, but if you wait for an infection, you will undoubtedly be left with a large scar that is often depressed.

If a lipoma is painful, it is either infected or — very rarely — may be a cancerous form called a liposarcoma. Liposarcomas grow rapidly, are usually painful, and metastasize rapidly. They are usually fixed and firm and not very movable. They should be removed immediately.

Lipomas are best and most efficiently removed by surgical excision.