Have you ever felt a soft, squishy lump under your skin and wondered what it could be?

Don’t worry...These harmless, fatty growths, known as lipomas, are more common than you think.

For some, they appear as single lumps, but others may find multiple lipomas developing on their body, which can raise concerns.

Understanding what to look for and knowing when to seek help is essential for your peace of mind and well-being. Through this blog, Mykare Health will guide you in identifying multiple lipomas and ensure that your diagnosis and treatment journey is smooth.

What are Lipomas?

Lipomas are benign (not cancerous), slow growing tumors of fat cells. They usually form just under the skin (subcutaneous tissue) and are usually soft.

Their size can vary from little as a pea to as big as a number of inches in diameter. Lipomas are usually painless but they may become painful if they compress nearby nerves or muscles.

Usually disposed of as solitary lumps, some lipomas are more commonly found. This is often associated with inherited disorder known as familial multiple lipomatosis, or with other medical conditions.

Understanding Multiple Lipomas

Multiple lipomatosis is when one has more than one lipoma. The cause of lipomas is not totally understood but genetics are thought to be involved with multiple lipomatosis. In case your relatives have got them several times, you may already get them.

These lipomas can develop in more than one area of the body and may be more or less symmetrical. However, lipomas are benign and, while distressing, can be particularly so if many lipomas become apparent on the arms, neck or trunk. But in very rare cases—for instance, with Madelung’s disease or Dercum’s disease—multiple lipomas could be associated with other conditions.

Key Symptoms of Lipomas

As with any discomfort or concern, getting early identification of lipomas is important. Here are the key symptoms to look out for

1. Soft, Movable Lumps

Usually, lipomas are soft, doughy to the touch. Harder lumps may indicate more serious conditions, but these are mobile under the skin, and move slightly when pressed. Most of these lumps do not feel tender unless they are in a sensitive area.

2. Slow Growth

Lipomas can grow slowly over time and may take years to reach the size they will eventually be. A large lump that is quickly growing is something you need to tell a healthcare provider about as soon as possible, as it may be a liposarcoma (a rare cancer of fat tissue) or another similar type of condition.

3. Painless Nature

Most lipomas are painless. But lipomas that press on nerves or joints can cause discomfort (or mild pain). In some instances, lipomas grow in deeper tissue layers − making them less easy to uncover, but more likely to provide discomfort.

4. Location

Lipomas usually occur on the arms, shoulders, back, chest, neck, thigh, and abdomen. They can show up anywhere on the body where there’s fat cells, but they’re most commonly located in these areas. Also, people with multiple lipomas have a common trait of their symmetrical appearance on both sides of the body.

5. Small to Large Size

Lipomas may be as small as a pea (up to 1 cm), or larger. Some may grow as big as 10 cm or more. Larger lipomas can be noticeable depending on the area where they are located, and cosmetic problems may arise.

6. Multiple Occurrences

Multiple lipomatosis is distinguished from the primary manifestation of a single lipoma by having more than one. Sometimes they happen in clusters, and sometimes spread to different parts of the body. Multiple lipomas are a clue to a genetic tendency for the condition.

Causes and Risk Factors for Multiple Lipomas

Multiple lipomas occur due to a number of factors. Some of the most prominent risk factors include

1. Genetic Predisposition

Multiple lipomas are strongly determined by family history. If someone in your family has many lipomas, you’re at high risk of getting some too. It is an hereditary condition causing formation of multiple lipomas in different parts of the body.

2. Age

Middle aged adults of ages 40 and 60 are most at risk of having lipomas. But they occur at any age, and are rare in children. The more we age, the greater risk of developing multiple lipomas.

3. Obesity

But, having a higher body fat percentage doesn't directly cause lipomas, just to say, it's possible that people with excessive body fat may be more prone to have them. Yet, although lipomas aren’t caused by weight gain or accumulation of fat, it is important to understand that lipomas are not related to diet.

4. Trauma or Injury

Yet, in rare occurrences lipomas have been associated with physical trauma or injury. While we don't know exactly what causes a lipoma to form, it is thought that damage to fatty tissue may be required to prompt the development of a lipoma at the injury site.

5. Other Medical Conditions

Several types of medical conditions are known to have multiple lipomas. These include

• Dercum’s disease (Adiposis Dolorosa): Painful lipomas is a rare condition.

• Madelung’s disease: A disorder in which fatty deposits form in symmetric areas on the neck and shoulders.

• Gardner’s syndrome: A genetic disorder that may cause lipomas, as well as other tumours.

Diagnosis of Multiple Lipomas

Lipomas are usually benign, but your healthcare provider may perform diagnostic tests to make sure it's not something else. The diagnostic process usually involves the following steps

1. Physical Examination

The first thing a healthcare provider will do is to examine the lumps, checking their size, texture and level. Other symptoms might include pain or tenderness, or signs of some other underlying condition, which the doctor will check for during this examination.

2. Medical History

Multiple lipomas require a detailed medical history for diagnosis. They will also ask about any family history of lipomas. Additionally, they’ll want to know if the lumps have increased in size, the number of lumps, or have changed in behavior.

3. Imaging Tests

Sometimes imaging tests are needed to make a diagnosis and to rule out other conditions. Common imaging techniques include: Ultrasound,CT Scan and MRI.

4. Biopsy

Pet owners may opt for a biopsy in rare cases to rule out cancer or other types of tumors. The lump is tested using a microscope. This is usually as a precaution, because lipomas are almost always benign.

Treatment Options for Lipomas

Lipomas are often benign and don’t require treatment. Some people want them removed for cosmetic or comfort reasons. Here are the most common treatment options

1. Surgical Removal

The most effective treatment for a lipoma is surgery. It involves making a small incision, over the lump and then removing the fatty tissue. The issue is usually done with local anesthesia and with a quick recovery time. Your doctor may nonetheless recommend surgery if the lipoma is big, causes pain, or disrupts your mobility.

2. Liposuction

Small lipomas can be removed by liposuction particularly where introduction of a surgical scar is not desirable. A small tube is then inserted through the lipoma and the fatty tissue inside is sucked out using a machine. While this procedure is not as invasive as surgery, it does not take all of the lipoma away and can recur.

3. Steroid Injections

In later cases they may use steroid injections to shrink lipomas. While less common, this treatment can shrink a lump in a person who may not be able to have surgery.