Lipomas are defined as a common subcutaneous tumor composed of adipose (fat) cells, often encapsulated by a thin layer of fibrous tissue.[1] In fact, these are the frequently encountered neoplasms by the clinicians. [2] Clinically, they often present in the body's cephalic part, specifically in the head, neck, shoulders, and backs of patients. However, they can less commonly be seen elsewhere, for example, the thighs. The tumors typically lie in the subcutaneous tissues of patients. The masses are often benign, and while the age of onset can vary. There is usually no reason for treatment. They pose no threat to the patient unless they are uncomfortable due to being located on joints or rapidly growing, which is uncommon, as the typical lipoma growth is slow.
Lipomas can sometimes, though rare, be associated with certain disorders such as multiple hereditary lipomatosis, Gardner syndrome, adiposis dolorosa, and Madelung disease.[3] [4] Some unconventional forms of lipomas include the following: angiolipoma, chondroid lipoma, lipoblastoma, myolipoma, pleomorphic lipoma/spindle cell lipoma, intramuscular and intermuscular lipoma, lipomatosis of nerve, lipoma of the tendon sheath and joint, lipoma arborescens, multiple symmetric lipomatosis, diffuse lipomatosis, adiposis dolorosa, and hibernoma.
It is essential to distinguish common lipomas from liposarcoma especially the well-differentiated one. Currently, it is differentiated by testing for MDM2 (murine double minute-2) gene amplification which essentially requires a biopsy.[5] They share similar characteristics, although the latter poses a greater risk to the patient. As mentioned earlier, while treatment is not always necessary, if it is decided that a patient should seek treatment, then the options are typically steroid injections or excision of the tumor.
While the etiology of lipomas is unclear, some studies have shown a genetic link, whereby about two-thirds of lipomas demonstrate genetic abnormalities. In addition to the possibility of a genetic link, another theory presents the idea that there is a direct positive correlation between trauma to an area and lipoma production. Research shows a link between adipose tumor growth as a post-traumatic event following a direct impact on that area of soft tissue. [6] In addition to the risk factors listed above, other possible connections that may lead to lipomas are obesity, alcohol abuse, liver disease, as well as glucose intolerance.
Lipomas are defined as mesenchymal tumors, which typically lie subcutaneously.[7] Less commonly, they can also be found on internal organs, such as the stomach and bowels. These masses are not typically attached to underlying muscle fascia. Lipomas are composed of lobulated, slow-growing, mature adipose tissue, having minimal connective tissue stroma. They are commonly enclosed in a thin, fibrous capsule.
Variants of lipoma defined by location include:
Patients often complain of a soft, mobile mass of tissue they can feel under the skin. These are typically painless unless they encroach joints, nerves, or blood vessels. Patients often see these in the upper part of the body. Rarely, these lipomas can form in muscles or organs.
Lipomas are mostly harmless and are only treated or excised if they cause pain due to their location and/or impact an organ’s function. However, some patients choose to have these masses removed for cosmetic reasons, as they can often be seen through the skin as they lie subcutaneously. Small lipomas (less than 4 cm) can be removed through small incisions, and scarring is not usually a significant concern. Research conducted also concluded that open surgery is still a better option for removing giant lipomas (greater than 10 cm)compared with lipoma removal by suction-assisted lipectomy through small incisions as it allows better judgment, prevents recurrences, and avoids damage to the surrounding tissues.[8]
A genetic link has been demonstrated that cites that about two-thirds of lipomas exhibit genetic abnormalities. In a subgroup of lipomas, the HMGA2 gene (located on 12q14.3) was involved in tumor pathogenesis.
The following structural rearrangements of chromosomes have been associated with lipoma occurrence:
Lipomas are composed of adipose/fat tissue, are mobile, soft to the touch, typically painless, and present subcutaneously. These are surrounded by a thin, fibrous capsule that is not attached to the underlying muscle fascia. In their typical form, they rarely present a diagnostic challenge.[7] These masses are typically less than 2 inches wide but maybe larger. They are commonly singular. However, some patients have more than one. They typically occur in the upper trunk, head, neck, shoulders, and back of patients. Histologic variants of lipoma are as follows:
Adenolipoma of Skin
Angiolipoma
Cartilaginous Metaplasia in a Lipoma
Chondroid Lipoma
Fibrolipoma
Myelolipoma
Myolipoma
Myxolipoma
Ossifying Lipoma
Sclerotic Lipoma
A possible mechanism of action of lipoma development is post-trauma to the respective area. It has also been theorized that this is true only for traumas that result in necrosis of adipose/fat cells and subsequent local inflammation. These are what are responsible for triggering the lipoma formation.
Fletcher et al. (1996) cited that there exists a clinicopathological correlation between the cytogenetic aberrations and the morphological subtypes of lipoma tumors. They concluded that such a correlation could serve as a significant diagnostic tool in difficult or histologically borderline cases.
Intradural lipomas of the spinal cord have also been shown to reflect a clinicopathological significance, whereby they occur most frequently in men between the ages of 20 to 40 years and are observed in the thoracic region of the spine, specifically at the cord. Symptoms, as described by respective patients, included pain, sensory changes, paraparesis, and urinary incontinence.
While the age of onset for a lipoma varies, it is typically first seen in patients between the ages of 40 to 60, and no gender bias has been documented. Certain types of lipomas are more frequently seen in other age groups. For example, such as hibernomas clinically present around the age of 30, lipoblastomas, and diffuse lipomatosis are commonly found in children older than the age of 3. Approximately 5% of patients present with multiple lipomas.
The prevalence of lipomas has been cited as affecting 1% of the population, while its incidence, which is possibly underreported, is 2.1 per 1000 individuals per year.
A positive diagnosis of a lipoma typically involve the following:
Surveillance
If lipomas are not painful and harmless, there is no need for removal.
Treatment
The techniques used for such include intralesional transcutaneous sodium deoxycholate (associated or not to phosphatidylcholine) injections, intralesional steroids combined with isoproterenol (a beta-2 adrenergic agonist) injections, liposuction of the tumor, or surgical excision. This latter is likely the most effective method to prevent them from reoccurring, though the encapsulation must also be removed for the most effective treatment and to decrease the risk of reoccurrence.[8] If the decision is made to excise lipomas, then it should be done while the lesions are smaller rather than after they grow larger to reduce the risk of these encroaching on joints, nerves, and blood vessels, thus making the excision more difficult and invasive.
Prognosis
The prognosis for benign lipomas is very good. These are benign entities and carry no risk for malignant transformation.[2] Once these tumors are excised, mainly for cosmetic reasons, they often do not return. However, it is imperative that the fibrous capsule surrounding the lipoma is entirely removed to prevent such from happening.
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