What to do if a lipoma grows on your arm

Fat is a vital component as the body's protective layer. Fat can provide us with energy, support the body, and keep us warm. Appropriate fat accumulation is very beneficial to the human body. However, everything has its limits. Anything in excess will have the opposite effect. For example, fat. Once fat accumulates excessively, it will not only cause obesity, but may also cause the formation of lipomas. Let's see what to do if you have lipomas on your arms?

Symptoms:

1. Can occur in any part of the body

The lesions often occur in the neck, shoulders, back and abdomen, and can also be seen in the retroperitoneum and internal organs. It is most common in the subcutaneous tissue of the head, neck, arms, and chest. About 7% of skin lesions are multiple. Multiple lesions develop early, while single lesions develop late and stop growing when they reach a certain size.

2. Single lipoma

Lipomas vary in shape, often appearing as soft subcutaneous masses that are flat, spherical, nodular, lobed, or pedicled. Sometimes they are diffuse masses that can be moved. It is soft and elastic and does not adhere to the surface skin. Generally, the tumor has clear boundaries and grows slowly. Unless it is too large and compresses local nerve branches and causes pain, it is usually asymptomatic. The largest ones can weigh several kilograms. Generally, after a tumor reaches a certain size, it stops growing and becomes dormant. The overlying skin is normal, and most lesions are less than 5 cm in diameter with a wide base. When the base of the tumor is squeezed, the surface skin may appear "orange peel"-like, which is caused by the traction of the fiber bundles in the subcutaneous fat that run vertically to the skin. Sometimes spontaneous atrophy, calcification or liquefaction may occur.

2. Multiple lipomas

They can be scattered throughout the body or confined to a certain part of the body surface, with more than two or even hundreds of them. It appears as painless subcutaneous nodules of varying sizes, some of which grow symmetrically. Active growth may cause pain. Often associated with neurofibromatosis.

3. Angiolipoma

It has all the characteristics of a typical lipoma and is more common in young and middle-aged men. Sometimes there is a family history. The disease progresses slowly and often occurs on the forearms, waist, and thighs. The lesions are the size of broad beans or soybeans and can sometimes swell and shrink on their own, accompanied by pain. The cause of pain is speculated to be related to the glomus tumor, or to the stimulation of surrounding tissue reactions such as edema and inflammation, or to the compression of the tumor on the surrounding tissues.

4. Syndrome manifestations

Lipomas may also be seen as part of Gardner syndrome. This syndrome is manifested by multiple osteomas of the face, multiple polyps of the colon, lipomas, fibromas, fibrosarcomas and leiomyomas.

Lipoma is a benign tumor originating from adipose tissue. It is surrounded by a thin layer of connective tissue capsule, which contains normal fat cells divided into leaf-shaped groups by connective tissue bundles. Some lipomas contain a lot of connective tissue or blood vessels in addition to a large amount of adipose tissue, forming a complex lipoma. It can occur in adipose tissue anywhere in the body, but rarely becomes malignant. Clinically, it commonly occurs under the skin of the shoulders, back, and buttocks, and requires surgical treatment when it is large. It is relatively common, mostly in middle-aged people (50-60 years old).

Lipoma generally does not require treatment. When the tumor is small and painless, no treatment is required. If the tumor is large, surgical removal can be performed. Smaller lipomas that grow slowly and have no clinical symptoms generally do not require treatment. If they grow very large and cause pain or affect the appearance, surgical removal may be considered. There are many methods of laser surgery to treat lipomas, but small lipomas are removed by micro-incision laser removal and lobing. Larger lipomas are removed through incisions based on their location and surgical requirements.

In addition, medication can be used for treatment: (1) Erchen Pills, 3 grams each time, twice a day. (2) Small gold tablets, 4 tablets each time, 3 times a day. For external application, you can use tumor-removing ointment (borax and asafoetida in equal parts, a little musk, grind them into a paste with garlic), mixed with vinegar or ginger juice. You can also grind raw arisaema and Fritillaria into fine powder, mix with egg white and rice vinegar and apply it. You should also avoid overwork, keep a good mood, and get enough sleep; lead a regular life, eat a light diet, and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits; strictly limit fatty and greasy foods, and quit smoking and drinking.