HEALTH CONDITION

Lipoma

Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that grow under your skin. They're harmless and do not usually need any treatment, but it's important to get any lumps checked by a GP.

Symptoms of a lipoma

Lipomas are common. They: feel soft and squishy can be anything from the size of a pea to a few centimetres across may move slightly under your skin if you press them are not usually painful grow slowly can appear anywhere on your body Lipomas often appear on your shoulders, chest, arms, back, bottom or thighs. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/106645/view You can also get a lipoma in other places, such as your forehead. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/259388/view

Getting a lipoma removed

Lipomas are harmless and do not usually need to be removed. They would only be removed on the NHS if it was growing or causing symptoms because of where it is. If you have it removed it may be sent to a laboratory to check it is a lipoma. You can pay to have a lipoma removed at a private clinic, but it may be expensive. A GP can give you advice about where to get treatment.

Source: NHS, last reviewed 25 July 2023. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

This page is general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace a registered doctor, and it is not a prescription or a recommendation to use any medicine or test. Prices are listed prices and may change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.