Is There A Lipoma Cure? - Healthline

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Is There a Lipoma Cure?Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on May 31, 2023

• Treatment
• Remedy
• Causes
• When to see a doctor
• Takeaway

A lipoma is a small mass of fat tissue that grows between skin and muscle. They may be caused by other conditions, but researchers are unsure exactly why they form. The most common treatment is surgical removal.

A lipoma is a slow growing soft mass of fat (adipose) cells that are typically found between the skin and underlying muscle in the:

• neck
• shoulders
• back
• abdomen
• thighs

They are generally small — less than two inches in diameter. They are soft to the touch and will move with finger pressure. Lipomas are not cancer. Since they pose no threat, there is usually no reason for treatment.

How can I get rid of a lipoma?

The most followed treatment for getting rid of a lipoma is surgical removal. Typically this is an in-office procedure and requires only local anesthetic.

Your doctor might also talk to you about alternatives such as:

• Liposuction. “Vacuuming” out the lipoma typically doesn’t remove it all, and the remainder grows back slowly.
• Steroid injection. This may shrink but usually doesn’t fully remove the lipoma.

Natural cure for lipoma

Although there is not clinical evidence to back up their claims, some natural healers suggest that lipomas can be cured with certain plant- and herb-based treatments such as:

• Thuja occidentalis (white cedar tree). A 2013 study concluded that Thuja occidentalis helped eradicate warts. Advocates of natural healing suggest that it could also be effective on lipoma.
• Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense). A 2013 review of clinical studies indicated the potential for boswellia as an anti-inflammatory agent. Practitioners of natural healing suggest that it could also be effective on lipoma.

What causes lipomas?

There is no medical consensus on the cause of lipomas, but it is believed that genetic factors might be a factor in their development. You are more likely to have a lipomas if you:

• are between 40 and 60 years old
• are obese
• have high cholesterol
• have diabetes
• have glucose intolerance
• have liver disease

Lipomas can occur more frequently if you have a medical condition such as:

• adiposis dolorosa
• Gardner’s syndrome
• Madelung’s disease
• Cowden syndrome

When to see your doctor about a lipoma

Whenever you notice a strange lump on your body, you should head to your doctor for a diagnosis. It might turn out to be a harmless lipoma, but there is always a chance that it could be an indication of a more serious condition.

It could be a cancerous liposarcoma. This is usually faster growing than a lipoma and painful.

Other symptoms that should be discussed with your doctor include:

• level of pain
• increases in size of lump
• lump starts feeling warm/hot
• lump becomes hard or immovable
• additional skin changes

Takeaway

Since lipomas are benign fatty tumors, they are typically harmless and do not require treatment. If a lipoma is bothering you for medical or cosmetic reasons, your doctor can surgically remove it.

 

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Charifa A, et al. (2018). Lipomas, Pathology.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482343/
• Cutan J. (2011). Treatment of lipoma by injectionlipolysis. DOI:https://www.doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.85040
• Di Lorenzo C, et al. (2013). Plant foodsupplements with anti-inflammatory properties: a systematic review (II)I. DOI:https://www.doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2012.691916
• Joseph R, et al. (2013). Successful treatment ofverruca vulgaris with Thuja occidentalis in a renal allograft recipient. DOI:http://www.doi.org/10.4103/0971-4065.116316
• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Lipoma. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lipoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374470

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on May 31, 2023

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