Benign tumour of mature adipocytes, commonly in subcutaneous tissue.
History taking
- • Slow-growing, painless, soft swelling for months/years
- • Multiple lipomas: familial lipomatosis, Dercum disease
Examination
- • Soft, lobulated, fluctuant, slip sign positive, non-tender, freely mobile
- • Skin overlying normal
Red flags
- • Rapid growth, pain, induration, deep/intramuscular location, size >5 cm — exclude liposarcoma
Differential diagnosis
- • Sebaceous cyst, neurofibroma, dermoid cyst, soft-tissue sarcoma
Recommended investigations
- • Usually clinical; USG for atypical features
- • MRI if deep, large, suspicious
Diagnosis
- • Clinical ± imaging; histopathology after excision
Initial treatment / management
- • Observation if asymptomatic, small, classical
- • Excision if symptomatic, cosmetic, or atypical features
Prescription examples
- • Post-op: simple analgesia, wound care
Follow-up advice
- • Suture removal 7–10 d; ensure histopathology reviewed
Patient counselling
- • Benign nature, recurrence rare after complete excision
Referral criteria
- • Atypical features, deep lesions for imaging and surgical planning
Clinical pearls
- • Atypical features warrant MRI before excision to plan margins
References
- • Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery 28e
Educational outpatient guide — verify against local guidelines before clinical use.
