A lipoma is a benign, slowly growing subcutaneous tumor composed of fat cells. They generally arise in young adults and are uncommon in children.

With the exception of Dercum disease and angiolipomas (see below), lipomas are asymptomatic.

Rubbery, lobulated subcutaneous nodules of 2 to 10 cm in diameter (Fig. 30.33).

Solitary lipomas are more common in females.

Multiple lipomas are most common in males.

Overlying skin is normal and not connected to lipoma.

Dercum disease is a syndrome of multiple tender lipomas that develop in middle-aged women.

Angiolipomas may be tender or painful (Fig. 30.34).

Lipomas occur most commonly on the trunk, the back of the neck, the upper arms, and the forearms.

The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds.

A biopsy should be performed if the diagnosis is uncertain. Pathology appears as normal fat.