Dermatology-Online

Lipoma on the abdomen

introduction

Lipomas are fatty growths that arise from the subcutaneous fat tissue. As a rule, they are harmless, but can also be easily removed if necessary.

A lipoma on the abdomen or on the abdominal wall is a benign tumor emanating from the subcutaneous fatty tissue, which can present itself in many forms. It occurs relatively frequently in humans and can occur both individually and in large numbers. It consists of mature adipose tissue cells and is usually easy to distinguish from the surrounding tissue, which is partly due to the capsule and the larger lobes of the adipose cells.

Symptoms

The lipoma usually occurs on the abdomen between the ages of 40 and 60, but can also develop earlier or later, for example in the context of lipomatosis in childhood. Since it starts from the subcutaneous fatty tissue, it lies relatively superficially under the skin.

The lipoma is characterized above all by its sharp delimitation, as well as the soft to plump elastic consistency and the fact that it can be moved easily under the skin. It can occur singly or multiple times and manifest in different parts of the abdomen or in other parts of the body, such as the arms.

The lipoma on the abdomen is usually not painful, but in some cases it can also cause pain, depending on where it is located. Since it usually grows very slowly, it is only perceived from a certain size. The size of the lipoma can vary widely, but in the end it is often somewhat larger than can be felt through the skin from the outside.

Read more on the subject below: Symptoms of a lipoma

Pain from a lipoma

A lipoma on the abdomen / abdominal wall can sometimes cause pain. Reasons for this are either that it is in the Proximity of a nerve lies and stimulates it that it is so big that it presses on other organs and the Organ capsule strains or that it lies in heavily used areas and the shear forces in the area cause pain. This pain can be medicinal only provide limited relief. A surgical removal of the lipoma on the stomach can then help.

causes

The causes of lipoma on the abdomen and abdominal wall have not yet been adequately clarified. It has to be one excessive activation of fat cell growth factors come in a specific place that explains the fat gain. However, there are no further indications as to the causes. However, there seems to be an increased incidence of lipomas in relatives, which indicates a genetic predisposition suggests.

Lipoma in the abdomen

The occurrence of lipomas in the abdominal cavity is one of the rarer locations of lipomas. Since it is difficult to feel and assess deep-lying lipomas, a sample of the removed tissue must be examined under a microscope. This makes it possible to safely rule out that it is not a question of malignant tissue growth.

For the operation, of course, the surgeon has to get into the abdominal cavity and depending on the location of the lipoma, a small or larger abdominal incision is required. If, for example, vital vessels or nerves are surrounded by the lipoma, you have to operate very carefully and you need a good view of the operating area, this is made possible by a larger skin incision.

therapy

The lipoma on the abdomen and on the abdominal wall often has few complaints on. Sometimes it can still be Pain come or else it is considered by those affected disturbing or even disfiguring felt. The pain can only be combated to a limited extent with medication.

In this case and also for cosmetic reasons, the lipoma or the lipoma on the stomach can then be underneath local anesthesia remove surgically. With a higher number of lipomas or deeper growth, one general anesthetic become necessary.

It will complete lipoma removed and then for tissue security reasons examined histologically. Here, the removed tissue is, for example, stained and assessed more precisely under the microscope. After the wound has been sewn up, a sterile bandage is applied and checked regularly. If the wound has healed successfully, a scar can remain. Through this therapy, the pressure created by the lipoma can be applied to the surrounding tissue, such as annoy, and the resulting pain can be eliminated.

Alternatively, a Liposuction (Liposection) can be used for the therapy of lipomas, but this is not possible in all cases and should therefore be assessed by a doctor.

Removal of the lipoma

A Lipoma can be surgically removed. This is especially necessary if it causes discomfort, becomes too large or for aesthetic reasons. The lipoma can be removed without anesthesia, i.e. only with local anesthesia, so that the operation is perceived but not perceived as painful.

In order to get to the lipoma, an incision up to the capsule of the fat tumor is necessary. Then the lipoma including the capsule cut out or "pulled out". Then the wound is sutured and with a sterile bandage provided. Depending on the size of the lipoma, inserting a drainage become necessary so that the wound fluid can drain away.

Surgical removal of a lipoma, like any operation, involves its own Risks, such as Bleeding, wound infection, wound healing disorders, injury of surrounding structures and the like. The removed tissue is then examined histologically to rule out any malignant findings.

diagnosis

To secure the diagnosis of the Lipomas on the abdomen / abdominal wall it is initially helpful to have a anamnese in order to obtain information from the person concerned about the onset and rate of growth of the lipoma and other related symptoms.

Furthermore, with a physical exam the lipoma on the abdomen can be examined more closely and palpated so that localization, size, Movability to the skin and consistency can be judged. An investigation with the Ultrasonic can also supplement the diagnosis to a large extent, as the extent of the lipoma can be clearly shown here and even the border to the surrounding tissue and the coarse internal structure can ideally be recognized.

If you decide to take a tissue sample from the lipoma or even to remove it completely, the lipoma will always be examined histologically. The aim of this is to determine the dignity of the tissue, i.e. whether it is benign or even malignant is and what tissue it ultimately comes from. This means that the final diagnosis can be made through the histological examination of the lipoma on the abdomen.

forecast

The prognosis of a lipoma on the abdomen is usually correct Well. As a person affected, however, you should still have it clarified and observed in order to be able to intervene in time in the event of a change that rarely occurs. Because lipomas rarely complaints prepare, it is easy to live with and even after removal of a lipoma, except for a scar and the risk of wound healing disorder or infection hardly any further problems.

However, it can always come back to Relapses come, that is, the formation of a lipoma again.

prophylaxis

As the causes of the formation of a lipoma on the abdomen / on the abdominal wall unknown are and so far only one genetic Predisposition shows is one Prophylaxis currently unknown.

A lipoma during pregnancy

If you are pregnant and have a lipoma on the abdomen at the same time, too much pressure may be exerted on internal organs.

Women with lipomas on the abdomen / abdominal wall can experience discomfort and pain during pregnancy, as the abdominal skin is stretched considerably as the uterus increases in size. Also, depending on its size, the lipoma on the abdomen can press on the uterus and the thriving child. In order to prevent such complaints, it would be advantageous to have the lipoma examined by a doctor before or at the beginning of the pregnancy and, if necessary, removed.