Soft Lump Under Your Skin? It Could Be a Lipoma
What You Should Know About Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Discovering a lump beneath your skin can be unsettling. Fortunately, in many cases, these soft, movable bumps turn out to be lipomas which are noncancerous (benign) growths of fatty tissue. While lipomas are usually harmless, they can sometimes become uncomfortable, grow in size, or affect your confidence about your appearance.
For residents in and around Long Island NY, Dr. Hesham Atwa and the caring team at Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors provide expert diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment options for lipomas, helping you find clarity and relief.
What Is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a soft, slow-growing mass of fatty tissue that typically develops just beneath the skin. It’s one of the most common types of soft tissue tumors and is generally noncancerous.
Lipomas can form anywhere on the body, but they’re most often found on the:
- Upper back and shoulders
- Neck
- Arms and thighs
- Abdomen
They tend to feel soft and rubbery to the touch and can usually be moved slightly when pressed. Lipomas typically grow slowly over months or years.
Who Gets Lipomas and Why
Lipomas can occur at any age but are most common in adults between 40 and 60. Although the exact cause isn’t fully understood, factors that may contribute include:
- Genetics: Lipomas often run in families.
- Minor injuries: A bump or trauma may sometimes trigger their growth.
- Medical conditions: Certain rare genetic syndromes can cause multiple lipomas.
It’s important to note that lipomas are not caused by weight gain—they are independent growths of fat cells.
How Lipomas Are Diagnosed
In most cases, a lipoma can be diagnosed with a simple physical examination. However, to ensure an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may recommend additional imaging if the lump is large, growing quickly, or feels unusually firm.
These may include:
- Ultrasound
- MRI or CT scan
If needed, a biopsy can be performed to rule out more serious conditions such as liposarcoma, a rare cancerous tumor that can mimic a lipoma.
Treatment Options
Not all lipomas need to be removed. Many patients choose treatment only if the lipoma:
- Becomes painful or tender
- Continues to grow
- Interferes with movement or daily activity
- Causes cosmetic concerns
At Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors, Dr. Hesham Atwa offers safe, effective treatment options, including the most common method – surgical excision. The entire lipoma is removed to minimize the chance of recurrence.
Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, allowing for a quick recovery and minimal downtime.
When to Schedule an Evaluation
You should make an appointment if you notice:
- A lump that grows rapidly
- Pain or tenderness around the lump
- Multiple lumps forming in different areas
- A hard or fixed mass that doesn’t move easily
- Changes in skin color or sensation over the lump
Early evaluation provides peace of mind and helps ensure the best treatment options are available to you.
Lipoma Removal in Long Island, NY
If you’re concerned about a lump under your skin, you don’t have to wonder or worry. Dr. Hesham Atwa and his experienced surgical team have helped thousands of patients across Long Island get answers and effective treatment for lipomas and other soft tissue concerns.
As a surgical leader with a focus on minimally invasive techniques and personalized patient care, Dr. Hesham Atwa can help you move forward confidently—whether that means reassurance, monitoring, or removing the lipoma entirely.
Most lipomas are harmless, but any new or changing lump should be checked by a qualified medical professional. If treatment is needed, removal is typically straightforward, with excellent outcomes.
Ready to get your lump evaluated?
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Hesham Atwa at Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors today.