Lipoma Pathology

Excerpt

Lipomas are defined as a common subcutaneous tumor composed of adipose (fat) cells, often encapsulated by a thin layer of fibrous tissue. In fact, these are the frequently encountered neoplasms by clinicians. 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. 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.