10Nov/093
A Lipoma Can Get Really Large- Picture Alert

A lipoma is not something to be left alone. This Navy career man was told for 17 years by his doctor that this growing mass did not require removal. "It was just a lipoma." This thing slowly grew to the point at which when he retired this large lump was visible even in clothing.
The bottom line here is that even if a soft fleshy lump is not cancer, it can grow and produce a problem if ignored for long enough.
My baseline recommendation is that people get these things removed early. On Page 2 is an image of the tumor once it was removed.
Best Regards,
John Di Saia MD
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November 15th, 2009 - 12:46
I was wondering if there is one part of the body that is more likely to get these tumors. Also, is there a known cause for these tumors (genetics, lifestyle, etc.)?
November 12th, 2009 - 06:16
Laura,
He had a “dent” of sorts there. This can occur when the tumor is allowed to grow so large before surgery. This was not cosmetic surgery.
November 10th, 2009 - 15:48
What did his back/neck look like after the removel?