Dermatology-Online

Lipoma on the thigh

definition

A lipoma is a benign fat tumor, which in most cases is located in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. They stand out as small, slowly growing, resilient nodules that can vary greatly in size. The lipomas are surrounded by a connective tissue capsule that separates the node from the rest of the tissue.

The small fat lumps occur mainly on the thighs, arms, spine or in the abdomen, but they can also be located in the muscles, the chest or in internal organs. Deeper lipomas are much rarer and rarely show clinical relevance. They are often discovered only by chance during a radiological examination. These deep-seated lipomas are located in the extremities, such as the thigh, mostly in the area of the muscles and can grow into them.

If several lipomas are present in a limited part of the body, for example on the thigh, this is known as lipomatosis. In rare cases, these fat lumps can degenerate and develop into a malignant tumor known as a liposarcoma.

root cause

Exact causes for the development of a lipoma on the thigh are so far not known. Just like with other benign neoplasms, one does not know what factors trigger the development of a lipoma on the thigh. A context between one increased obesity the affected person and the development of a lipoma does not exist, because slim people get sick just as often.

It is thought to have a lipoma as a result of a fall or a severe bruise of the thigh. A connection between the development of a lipoma and a certain one hereditary predisposition however, it is assumed.

Symptoms

Lipomas on the thigh are not painful and therefore only need to be surgically removed in rare cases.

A lipoma on the thigh can be in all age groups occur. In most cases it causes a lipoma on the thigh no pain. A lipoma on the thigh is in the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the affected leg and usually grows slowly.

In the Size expansion can clear differences occur. The size can vary from small round lumps to lipomas the size of a handball. As a rule, these are fatty lumps easy to move.

Lipomas on the thigh can be found on both the Inside as well as the outside of the thigh. A very large lipoma on the inside of the thigh can cause friction to restrict walking. Depending on the location, this can also be hip joint or Knee joint be affected by the tumor and restricted in its freedom of movement. At very deep growing Lipomas that grow into the muscle layer can also cause problems and disturbances in movement. With the localization on the outside of the thigh, the restriction in the movement sequence plays a minor role.

A possible vicious changethat also emanates from the adipose tissue cells Liposarcoma. This occurs above all in a higher age up, grows very quickly and has many degenerated adipose tissue cells.

Pain from a lipoma

In most cases, the lipoma is caused on the thigh no pain or other discomfortso that surgical removal is only carried out because the lipomas are perceived as very unaesthetic from a certain increase in size. A lipoma is usually only noticed when the increase in adipose tissue is palpable and visible as a lump (see: When should a lipoma be removed??)

In these cases it is more of a cosmetic problem. Sometimes the lipomas may appear Nerve tracts press in the area of the thigh and this constrict. Then it can too Sensory disturbances or a light one tingle come in the affected areas of the leg. Patients describe these symptoms as "numbness" that spreads down the leg. If the fatty lump on the thigh is rather coarse, cannot be moved or is unclear to delineate, further examinations should be carried out in order to exclude other tumors and especially malignant changes in the tissue.

Lipoma on the inside of the thigh

Lipomas can appear anywhere on the thigh. It is particularly annoying, however, when a large lipoma has formed on the inside of the thigh. The ulcer can cause problems walking and running. Due to the constant friction, the skin is chafed, sore and can be painful. In such cases, it is advisable to have the lipoma surgically removed.

diagnosis

Since the lipoma on the thigh usually does not cause pain, it is usually discovered due to a small thickening in the subcutaneous tissue. Owing to cosmetic reasons and in rare cases due to a mechanical impairment when walking or sitting the doctor visited. A very small lipoma is difficult to delimit and differentiate from the surrounding fat layer.

To Diagnosis should make an appointment with one Dermatologist to be agreed. With the help of a Ultrasound examination the location and size of the lipoma can be accurately assessed. You can also see whether muscle structures or nerve cords of the thigh are also affected or narrowed.

In order to make an accurate diagnosis there is the possibility of the lipoma too puncture. This is done with the help of a puncture needle Local anesthesia a small sample is taken from the affected area of the subcutaneous fat on the thigh. This can be used to distinguish it from other benign changes.

There is a specific one Malicious change suspected in the form of a liposarcoma or if they are very large lipomas that grow deep into the surrounding structures of the thigh, a Computed Tomography for further diagnosis and clarification.

therapy

A lipoma on the thigh must be in most cases not treated as it does not cause pain or other symptoms. However, this spreads Joints or annoy of the affected leg, surgical therapy may be necessary. There is no adequate conservative therapy for treatment. Most of them operational interventions to remove a lipoma, however, is cosmetic indications.

Operation of a lipoma

Depending on its size and location, the lipoma on the thigh can be under one local anesthesia or in general anesthetic removed. Removed with the help of a small knife the surgeon removes the lipoma from its capsule. It is important to note that lipomas are usually very well supplied with blood become. are Vessels present that radiate into the lipoma, these must be prevented to avoid possible rebleeding. After the fatty tumor has been removed, a defect often remains at the site of the Adipose tissuewhere the lipoma was before. To avoid this dent, you can use a so-called Release fat cloththat can be implanted at the lipoma removal site. Usually one stays small scar left.

When removing a large lipomas, can a lot of excess skin remain, which can then be removed for cosmetic reasons. If the present lipoma affects not the subcutaneous fatty tissue, but also deeper muscle areas of the thigh, the surgeon may have the affected Split muscle got to.

In rare cases you can Complications occur. It can injure the surrounding skin layers or too Bleeding, Infections as well as disturbances in the healing process of the wound edges. It is not uncommon for a new lipoma to develop in the same place, a so-called one Relapse.

There is also something else newer method to remove a lipoma on the thigh. Especially with larger lipomas on the thigh, you can get one Liposuction carry out. The advantage of this method is that only small scars arise and usually no dents remain in the fatty tissue after removal. With this method, however, there is the risk that not all fat cells can be completely suctioned off, so that the remaining cells will develop another lipoma can develop on the thigh. In this method, the contents of the capsule that envelops the lipoma are aspirated. The capsule itself and the remains of the adipose tissue cells that were not caught remain in the tissue.

The removed fat cells are always one after removal Pathologists sent, who analyzes the cells precisely and determines whether it is really a lipoma or a different one benign or but about one vicious change acts. With the liposuction method, however, it is more difficult for the pathologist to assess the cells, as some of them were destroyed or mechanically stressed during the suctioning process.

Does a lipoma on the thigh need to be surgically removed?

For medical reasons, it is not necessary to surgically remove a lipoma on the thigh that does not cause pain or other discomfort. Nevertheless, the lipoma should be checked regularly by a doctor in order to rule out a pathological degeneration into a tumor. Some patients decide to have very large lipomas surgically removed from the thigh for aesthetic reasons.

Read more on the subject at: When should a lipoma be removed?

What to do if the lipoma on the thigh presses on a nerve

The lipoma on the thigh can also lie awkwardly and press on vessels or nerve branches, causing pain. Some lipomas also contain nerves and blood vessels themselves. These so-called angiolipomas can be extremely painful and are usually removed by surgery. Lipomas on the thigh that cause pain can easily be removed by surgery and the wound heals well. But sometimes it happens that a lipoma forms again in the same place.

forecast

Typically, a lipoma on the thigh has one very good prognosis. It rarely happens that this new formation degenerates in the area of the subcutaneous fatty tissue and that a malignant liposarcoma develops. Is it me one small knot, he can be in place left and does not need to be removed urgently. If the lipoma on the thigh is troublesome for cosmetic reasons, or because it causes symptoms due to excessive increase in size, it can be eliminated. However, it should be noted that in some cases a lipoma can form again in the same place on the thigh. A so-called arises Relapse, which in most cases can also be classified as benign.

How dangerous is a lipoma on the thigh?

A lipoma on the thigh is usually harmless and nothing to worry about. This is just a lump under the skin or in muscle tissue that is filled with fat cells. These growths are benign. Usually, a lipoma on the thigh does not cause discomfort and therefore does not need treatment. Sometimes the lipoma can press on nerves or blood vessels and cause pain. In such cases, surgical removal should be considered.

prophylaxis

Since the causes for the development of a lipoma on the thigh to this day not really known are and only a certain genetic component should matter is an effective one prophylaxis to prevent lipoma from occurring not possible.

An important measure to prevent or minimize the occurrence of many different diseases is that Reduction of obesity. Although lipomas are changes in adipose tissue, there is no known known cause of their development to be linked to obesity. Slim people are just as at risk Develop a lipoma on the thigh in the course of their life like people with high levels of adipose tissue. Nevertheless, a reduction in the percentage of body fat, as well as a balanced nutrition and adequate exercise will never be a disadvantage.