Giant lipoma of the transverse colon: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Colonic lipomas are benign adipose tumors which are usually submucosal. Small lesions are asymptomatic and may be detected incidentally. Large lipomas can cause symptoms.

Aim: We report a case of symptomatic giant colonic lipoma

Observation: A 67-year old woman was admitted to hospital with persistent abdominal pain, for which a barium enema showed a large polypoid mass occluding the lumen of the transverse colon. Colonoscopy revealed a tumor narrowing the bowel lumen of about 5 cm in diameter with a sessile appearance and ulcerated overlying mucosa. The possibility of colonic malignancy could not be precluded and an operative resection was performed. Pathological examination revealed a colonic lipoma. Twelve months after the surgery, the patient was free of symptoms.

Conclusion: Awareness of the possibility of colonic lipomas is important for clinicians in terms of evaluation of therapeutic regimen.