Lipomas
in Manchester and Cheshire
Lipomas are common, benign lumps of soft fatty tissue that grow slowly just beneath the skin. They are usually painless and harmless — but they can grow large, feel unsightly, or press on surrounding tissues. At Deansgate Hospital in Manchester, lipomas are assessed and removed by specialist surgeons under local anaesthetic, usually in a single short visit.
What Is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a soft, rubbery lump made of fat cells, sitting between the skin and the underlying muscle. Lipomas typically move slightly under the fingers, grow slowly over months or years, and most commonly appear on the shoulders, back, neck, arms and thighs. They affect around 1 in 100 people, most often between the ages of 40 and 60, and some people develop several. A lipoma is benign — it is not a cancer — but any new or changing lump should be examined by a specialist to confirm the diagnosis.
What Causes Lipomas?
The exact cause of lipomas is not fully understood, but several factors are known to play a role:
1. Genetics
Family history is the strongest factor — lipomas often run in families, and a small number of people inherit a tendency to develop multiple lipomas (familial multiple lipomatosis).
2. Age
Lipomas are most common between the ages of 40 and 60, although they can appear at any age in men and women alike.
3. Underlying conditions
Rarely, multiple lipomas occur as part of conditions such as Dercum’s disease or Gardner syndrome. Your specialist will consider this if you have several lumps or other symptoms.
4. Minor injury
Some patients report a lipoma appearing after a knock or injury to the area. The evidence for this is limited, but it is a commonly described association.
5. Weight and metabolism
Lipomas are not caused by being overweight — they occur in people of all builds — though they can become more noticeable with weight changes.
Whatever the cause, the practical question for most patients is the same: is this lump definitely a lipoma, and should it be removed? A specialist examination — occasionally with an ultrasound scan — answers both quickly.
How Can I Get Rid of a Lipoma?
While lipomas do not generally require treatment for health reasons, many people seek removal for cosmetic purposes or because they are prone to bleeding. There are several effective methods for removing lipomas.
What Are the Options for Lipoma Removal?
If you decide to have a lipoma removed, surgical excision under local anaesthetic is the standard and most effective option — the lipoma is removed whole through a small incision, keeping recurrence very low. Very small lipomas can occasionally be treated by liposuction techniques, though excision gives the most reliable result and provides tissue for histology. Your specialist will recommend the right approach for the size and site of your lipoma.
Does the NHS Remove Lipomas?
Lipomas do not go away on their own, and creams, massage or weight loss will not shrink them. The only effective treatment is removal. The NHS typically does not offer lipoma removal for cosmetic reasons, so most patients choose quick private removal. At Deansgate Hospital, lipoma removal is performed under local anaesthetic as a walk-in, walk-out procedure, with histology available on every specimen for complete peace of mind.
Can a Lipoma Be Cancerous?
Lipomas themselves are benign and do not turn into cancer. However, a rare cancer of fatty tissue called liposarcoma can occasionally resemble a lipoma. Warning signs include rapid growth, a lump that feels firm or fixed, pain, or a lump deeper than usual. This is why every new, changing or unusual lump deserves specialist assessment — and why we recommend histology on removed tissue.
What Is the Difference Between a Lipoma and a Cyst?
Both are common benign lumps, but they differ: a lipoma is a soft, mobile lump of fatty tissue with normal overlying skin, while a cyst is a sac of keratin or sebaceous material, often with a small central punctum, which can become inflamed or infected. Your specialist will usually distinguish the two on examination — and both can be removed under local anaesthetic at Deansgate Hospital.
How Is a Lipoma Removed?
Lipoma removal is a short surgical procedure under local anaesthetic. Through a small incision over the lump, the lipoma is freed from the surrounding tissue and removed whole — which keeps the chance of recurrence very low. The skin is closed with fine sutures using plastic surgical technique for the neatest possible scar. Most removals take 20–45 minutes depending on size and site.
What Happens During Lipoma Removal?
After local anaesthetic numbs the area, you will feel pressure but no pain as the lipoma is removed. You go home immediately afterwards and can return to normal activities the same day, keeping the area clean and dry. Stitches are removed or dissolve within 7–14 days, and the specimen can be sent for laboratory analysis. Larger or deeper lipomas are occasionally scanned first and planned accordingly.
Conclusion
Lipomas are benign fatty lumps that are extremely common and rarely serious — but they do not disappear on their own, and any changing lump deserves proper assessment. At Deansgate Hospital in Manchester, our specialists confirm the diagnosis, remove the lipoma under local anaesthetic with scar-minimising technique, and provide histology for complete peace of mind. Call 0161 470 9280 to book your consultation.
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Private Hospital Manchester
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