Synonyms

• Simple lipoma
• subcutaneous lipoma

Category

Soft tissue

Behaviour

Benign

Gender

M = F

Tissue of Origin

Adipose

Epidemiology

• Most common Benign soft tissue tumour
• Peak incidence 4th-6th decades
• Often multiple
• Familial clustering in some families

Clinical Features

• Soft moveable subcutaneous mass
• Painless
• Slow-growing
• Cosmetic concern

Location

• Subcutaneous tissue
• Back (most common)
• Shoulder
• Forearm
• THigh

Imaging

• Ultrasound: hyperechoic mass
• MRI: T1 bright, suppresses on fat-sat

Pathology

• Mature Adipose tissue
• No atypia
• Thin Fibrous capsule

Genetics

12q13-15 rearrangements in some

Treatment

• Observation for asymptomatic lesions
• Excision for cosmetic reasons or if symptomatic

Prognosis

Excellent - no malignant potential

Key Points

• Most common Benign soft tissue tumour
• No Malignant transformation

Workup - Blood Tests

No tests required

Workup - Local Imaging

• Clinical diagnosis usually sufficient
• MRI if diagnostic uncertainty

Workup - Biopsy

Not required if typical imaging

Workup - Staging

Not applicable

Workup - Other

Excision curative and cosmetically acceptable