Lipoma

A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that's most often situated between your skin and the underlying muscle layer. Often a lipoma is easy to identify because it moves readily with slight finger pressure. It's doughy to touch and usually not tender. You may have more than one lipoma. Lipomas can occur at any age, but they're most often detected during middle age.

A lipoma isn't cancer and is usually harmless. Treatment generally isn't necessary, but if the lipoma bothers you, is painful or is growing, you may want to have it removed.

Misconceptions about lipomas

The American Cancer Society classifies lipomas as benign tumors. Tumors can be cancerous, but lipomas aren’t malignant. This means that there is no chance that an existing lipoma will spread. The condition will not spread through muscles or any other surrounding tissues. The condition isn’t deadly. If you have any concerns about getting rid of a lipoma, see your dermatologist for treatment.