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Lipoma

Disease Details

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Description: A lipoma is a benign tumor composed of soft, rubbery fat tissue that typically grows slowly just beneath the skin.
Type: A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor composed of fat tissue. The type of genetic transmission for lipomas can vary, but they often occur sporadically with no clear inheritance pattern. However, in some cases, lipomas can be part of genetic conditions such as familial multiple lipomatosis, which suggests an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. This means that a person has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition if one parent carries the gene mutation associated with it.
Signs And Symptoms: **Signs and Symptoms of Lipoma:**

1. **Soft, Movable Lump:** Lipomas typically present as a soft, doughy lump beneath the skin. They are easily moved with slight pressure.

2. **Painless:** Most lipomas are painless, although some may cause discomfort or pain if they press on nearby nerves or have blood vessels.

3. **Slow Growth:** Lipomas grow slowly over months or years, remaining relatively small, usually under 2 inches in diameter, though they can sometimes be larger.

4. **Location:** Commonly found on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, and thighs but can appear anywhere on the body.
Prognosis: Lipomas are rarely life-threatening, and the common subcutaneous lipomas are not a serious condition. Lipomas growing in internal organs can be more dangerous; for example, lipomas in the gastrointestinal tract can cause bleeding, ulceration, and painful obstructions (so-called "malignant by location", despite being a benign growth histologically). Malignant transformation of lipomas into liposarcomas is very rare, and most liposarcomas are not produced from pre-existing benign lesions. A few cases of malignant transformation have been described for bone and kidney lipomas, but it is possible that these few reported cases were well-differentiated liposarcomas in which the subtle malignant characteristics were missed when the tumor was first examined. Deep lipomas have a greater tendency to recur than superficial lipomas because complete surgical removal of deep lipomas is not always possible.The presence of multiple lipomas, lipomatosis, is more commonly encountered in men. Some superficial lipomas can extend into deep fascia and may complicate excision. Liposarcoma is found in 1% of lipomas and is more likely to occur in lesions of the lower extremities, shoulders, and retroperitoneal areas. Other risk factors for liposarcoma include large size (>5 cm), associated with calcification, rapid growth, and/or invasion into nearby structures or through fascia into muscle tissue.
Onset: Onset: Lipomas typically develop in adults between the ages of 40 and 60, but they can occur at any age, including childhood. They usually grow slowly over months to years.
NAN: There is no clear evidence implicating specific nanomaterials (such as nanoparticles) in the formation or growth of lipomas. Lipomas are generally benign tumors composed of fatty tissue and are not associated with nanotechnology or nanomaterials.
Prevalence: Lipomas are quite common, with an estimated prevalence of about 1% in the general population. These benign tumors composed of fat cells are most frequently found in adults between the ages of 40 and 60. They rarely occur in children and are usually non-cancerous.
Epidemiology: Around 2% of the general population has a lipoma. These tumors can occur at any age, but are most common in middle age, often appearing in people from 40 to 60 years old. Cutaneous lipomas are rare in children, but these tumors can occur as part of the inherited disease Bannayan-Zonana syndrome.Lipomas are usually relatively small with diameters of about 1–3 cm, but in rare cases they can grow over several years into "giant lipomas" that are 10–20 cm across and weigh up to 4–5 kg.
Intractability: No, a lipoma is generally not considered intractable. Lipomas are benign (non-cancerous) tumors composed of fatty tissue. They are usually not harmful and often do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort or cosmetic concerns. In cases where treatment is needed, options include surgical removal or liposuction, both of which are typically effective.
Disease Severity: Lipoma is generally considered a benign (non-cancerous) condition. It is a soft, fatty lump that grows slowly under the skin and is usually not painful. Lipomas are typically not serious and rarely cause complications. They are more of a cosmetic concern than a health issue in most cases.
Healthcare Professionals: Disease Ontology ID - DOID:3315
Pathophysiology: A lipoma is a benign tumor composed of adipose (fat) tissue. The exact pathophysiology of lipomas is not fully understood, but they are thought to arise from the abnormal proliferation of fat cells. Genetic factors may play a role, as lipomas tend to run in families. Additionally, certain chromosomal abnormalities have been identified in some lipomas. They are generally slow-growing, soft, and movable lumps found under the skin, and they are typically not painful.
Carrier Status: Lipoma is not associated with a carrier status. It is a benign tumor made of fat tissue and typically occurs without a genetic carrier mechanism. It is generally considered sporadic and not typically linked to hereditary transmission.
Mechanism: Lipomas are benign tumors that consist of mature fat cells. They are generally soft, movable, and painless.

### Mechanism:
Lipomas develop when there is an overgrowth of adipose tissue (fat cells). The exact cause of this overgrowth isn't entirely understood, but it's believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

### Molecular Mechanisms:
1. **Genetic Mutations**: Many lipomas have been found to have mutations in genes such as HMGA2 and HMGIC. These genes are involved in cell proliferation and differentiation.

2. **Chromosomal Aberrations**: Some lipomas exhibit chromosomal rearrangements, particularly translocations. For instance, translocations involving chromosome 12q13-15, where the HMGA2 gene is located, are common.

3. **Growth Factors and Signaling Pathways**: Dysregulation of various signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, may promote the growth and survival of adipose tissue cells contributing to lipoma formation.

4. **Epigenetic Changes**: Alterations in DNA methylation and histone modifications might play a role in the development and progression of lipomas by affecting gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.

Understanding these mechanisms helps in identifying potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for lipomas. However, since lipomas are generally benign, treatment is usually only pursued for cosmetic reasons or if the lipoma causes discomfort or other symptoms.
Treatment: Usually, treatment of lipomas is not necessary, unless they become painful or restrict movement. They are usually removed for cosmetic reasons if they grow very large or for histopathology to verify that they are not a more dangerous type of tumor such as a liposarcoma. This last point can be important, as the characteristics of a tumor are not known until after it is removed and medically examined.Lipomas are normally removed by simple excision. The removal can often be done under local anesthetic and takes less than 30 minutes. This cures the great majority of cases, with about 1–2% of lipomas recurring after excision. Liposuction is another option if the lipoma is soft and has a small connective tissue component. Liposuction typically results in less scarring; however, with large lipomas, it may fail to remove the entire tumor, which can lead to regrowth.New methods under development are supposed to remove the lipomas without scarring. One is removal by injecting compounds that trigger lipolysis, such as steroids or phosphatidylcholine. Other potential methods based on tissue-targeted heating include cauterization, electrosurgery, and harmonic scalpel.
Compassionate Use Treatment: Lipomas are generally benign tumors composed of fatty tissue. Here is information related to compassionate use and experimental treatments:

1. **Compassionate Use Treatments**:
- **Cryolipolysis**: Although primarily used for cosmetic fat reduction, it has been considered for lipomas under compassionate use settings.
- **Sonographically Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)**: Another potential option focusing on non-invasive tissue destruction.

2. **Off-label or Experimental Treatments**:
- **Liposuction**: Although not typically the first line of treatment, liposuction can be used off-label to remove larger lipomas.
- **Mesotherapy**: Involves the injection of fat-dissolving substances; experimental but occasionally used off-label.
- **Phosphatidylcholine Injections**: Have shown some promise in breaking down fat tissue in lipomas, though still experimental.

It's important to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and the latest treatment options.
Lifestyle Recommendations: For a lipoma, there are no specific lifestyle recommendations as these benign tumors are typically not influenced by lifestyle factors. However, general health and wellness practices can support overall health:

1. **Maintain a Healthy Weight:** Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help in maintaining a healthy weight, which is beneficial for overall well-being.
2. **Healthy Diet:** Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
3. **Regular Check-ups:** Monitor any changes in size or pain from the lipoma, and have regular check-ups with a healthcare provider.

While lifestyle changes may not directly affect a lipoma, maintaining overall health can be beneficial.
Medication: Lipomas are benign tumors composed of fatty tissue, and there is generally no medication specifically for treating them. Treatment options primarily include surgical removal or, in some cases, liposuction if the lipoma is bothersome, painful, or cosmetically concerning. There are no nanotechnology-based treatments currently approved for lipomas.
Repurposable Drugs: Lipomas are generally benign tumors composed of fatty tissue. While they typically do not require treatment unless symptomatic or cosmetically concerning, certain drugs have been studied for their potential to affect lipoma growth. One such drug is orlistat, a weight loss medication that inhibits fat absorption. Another is doxycycline, an antibiotic that has shown some anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties, which may help in certain cases. However, treatment usually involves surgical removal when necessary.

Regarding nanotechnology (nan), research in this area for lipomas is still in its early stages. Nanoparticles could potentially be used for targeted drug delivery to minimize side effects and improve the efficacy of treatments, though these applications are largely theoretical at this point.
Metabolites: Lipomas are benign tumors composed of adipose (fat) tissue. They generally do not have specific metabolites associated with them because they are typically just a mass of mature fat cells. Since lipomas are non-cancerous and not metabolically active in the same way malignant tumors are, they do not produce or alter any specific metabolites that can be tracked. Standard metabolic processes in the surrounding normal tissue remain unaltered.
Nutraceuticals: There are no well-established nutraceuticals specifically for treating lipomas. Lipomas are generally benign, fatty tumors that usually do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort or cosmetic concerns. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare provider for diagnosis and appropriate management options. Nutraceuticals and other dietary supplements typically lack scientific evidence for their effectiveness in treating lipomas.
Peptides: Lipomas are benign tumors composed of adipose (fat) tissue. They are typically soft, movable, and painless.

**Peptides:** Research on peptides for treating lipomas is not well-established. While peptides have diverse biological roles and potential therapeutic applications, there is currently no specific peptide treatment approved for lipomas.

**Nanotechnology:** Similarly, the application of nanotechnology in the treatment of lipomas is still in experimental stages. Nanotechnology has the potential to deliver drugs more effectively or target specific cells, but at present, standard treatments for lipomas, such as surgical removal or liposuction, remain the primary options.