A lipoma (adipose), otherwise a lipoblastoma, or fatty tumor, is a benign neoplasm and is formed wherever there is adipose tissue. The disease is more susceptible to women in adulthood. Why a fatty tumor is formed, how to determine and treat it, we will consider in this article.
What is lipoblastoma?
These are benign neoplasms consisting of adipose tissue. Outwardly, they represent painless soft mobile nodes, often do not have clear boundaries, are located on one or multiple nodes, sometimes symmetrically. They are formed everywhere: in the dermis, subcutaneous, muscle, retroperitoneal, perinephric fiber, gastrointestinal tract, mammary glands, myocardium, lungs, and brain membranes. The growth of lipoblastoma does not depend on the general condition of the body.
When depleted, it, on the contrary, increases, accumulating fat. Sometimes the tumors reach large sizes, drooping on the leg, into which the base is stretched, which contributes to blood stasis, swelling and necrosis. Lipoma (adipose) is often found in women aged 30-50 years. It consists of a node having a lobed structure surrounded by a capsule. Less common is the diffuse form of the tumor, in which diffuse growths of adipose tissue, the capsule is absent.
Causes of occurrence
Reliable causes of the formation of fatty tumors have not yet been identified. However, scientific studies indicate several factors that predispose to the formation of such tumors. The causes of the appearance of wen (lipomas) are considered:
- Genetic predisposition - the disease is transmitted from generation to generation, regardless of gender. It is confirmed by studies that with the appearance of tumors in one twin, they are almost 100% formed in another.
- Violation of fat metabolism - is associated with an increased formation in the blood of special fats of lipoproteins having a low density. They appear due to lack of physical activity, excessive consumption of animal fats and genetic abnormalities.
- Failures in the mechanism of reverse regulation of fat metabolism - occurs when the autoregulation of useful fatty tissue in the human body is disturbed. The reason for this is severe stressful situations, radioactive radiation, injuries, frostbite, burns.
- A low level of personal hygiene - often a wen-lipoma (photo is in the article) is formed due to long-unhealing boils or acne. If hygiene rules are not observed during the opening of inflamed formations, they turn into chronic processes. With clogging of the lumen of the glands, sebum accumulates.
- Demodecosis - the disease is caused by ticks living in the ducts of the sebaceous glands. During normal functioning of the immune system, parasites are suppressed. During weakening, mites actively multiply and close the gaps between the glands, contributing to the accumulation of sebum.
Often adipose lipomas are formed against a background of dysfunctions of the endocrine system, alcoholism, and during the menopause.
Main symptoms
A fat tumor develops slowly and without any symptoms, without causing painful sensations and without changing the quality of life. The patient does not pay attention to the neoplasm that has arisen, if it does not spoil its appearance while in the open parts of the body. Lipoblastoma is a soft-touch tumor that is not associated with tissues.
The appearance of the skin covering it remains unchanged, elasticity and normal color remain. Sometimes the structure becomes dense due to the fact that the connective tissue joins the adipose tissue. Lipomas (wen) are formed individually or there are many of them. The size, as a rule, is from 1 to 5 cm, but very large formations can occur that can cause discomfort.
Diagnosis of fatty tumors
Such neoplasms can be noticed by any doctor when examining a patient.
During the conversation, the patient's complaints, the time of appearance and the rate of increase in education, the degree of discomfort are revealed. Then a palpation is performed, after which the doctor immediately makes a diagnosis. An instrumental study in the diagnosis of such tumors, in order to correctly determine how to get rid of a wen (lipoma), is carried out only when the clinical picture is similar to other more dangerous diseases or with internal neoplasms. To do this, use:
- Ultrasound - helps determine the boundaries, sizes, structure and depth.
- Radiography with a contrast agent - used to determine formations in the soft tissues.
- Computed tomography - allows you to accurately determine the boundaries, evaluate the substance of which the tumor consists and its connection with the surrounding organs.
After being diagnosed, the doctor recommends treatment or simply monitoring development and growth.
Healing
In the XXI century, the treatment of lipoma (adipose) is carried out only surgically. Surgery is not always required; many people spend their whole lives living with their ailment without experiencing any inconvenience. This species almost never turns into a malignant tumor, so if it does not cause inconvenience, then nothing is required. A cosmetologist or a dermatologist is engaged in the treatment of small formations, and a surgeon is engaged in large ones. Early treatment by a patient simplifies treatment.
Is there an effective drug therapy?
No medicine has yet been found that could cure lipoblastoma. Sometimes in the early stages of development, due to the inability to carry out surgery, glucocorticoid Diprospan is prescribed for injection into the tumor body, which promotes the breakdown of adipose tissue. The use of absorbable ointments is not very effective, although such recommendations are on the Internet. Use balms: Karavaeva, Zvezdochka, ointments: Ichthyol, Vishnevsky and Hydrogen Peroxide.
Folk remedies in the fight against fatty tumor
Official medicine is categorically against the use of recipes of traditional healers for the treatment of lipoblastoma. However, those who have tried claim that the tumors are shrinking. Consider one method of treating lipoma (Wen) soda. It consists of the following:
- Dissolve three tablespoons of baking soda in a liter of warm water.
- Dampen the tissue and attach to the tumor. Top with cellophane, bandage and hold for 10 minutes.
- During the day, repeat this compress three times.
The procedure is done until the neoplasm is completely resorbed. If you believe, try it. But do not get carried away for a long time, it is better to visit a doctor and consult about further actions.
When is surgery necessary?
Removal of lipoma (wen) is carried out by:
- To the patient’s desire - subcutaneous neoplasms affecting the aesthetic appearance.
- Relative indications - cause some violations of the functions of organs, do not threaten life, but bring inconvenience. These include: constant trauma, pain as a result of compression of the nerve, impaired circulation, being under the tumor of an internal organ.
- Absolute indications - pose a threat to the life of the patient. This is a tumor: inside the skull, pressing on the brain; in the abdominal cavity, threatening rupture; interfering with the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid; located in the heart and causing heart failure.
As a result of removal, all tumor cells are eliminated and symptoms are eliminated.
Lipoblast Removal Methods
Fatty tumors are removed by the following methods:
- Traditional surgical - the operation is done under local or general anesthesia. Through the incision, the capsules are excised, cleaned and sutured, if necessary, drainage is established. This method gives the least relapses, but secondary infection of the wound is possible, a scar appears.
- Liposuction - the contents are pulled through a needle puncture with an electro-aspirator. The operation is performed quickly, there is no suture, but repeated formations are possible while leaving the fat cells.
- Laser is a bloodless and gentle method. Adipose tissues are completely destroyed, vascular coagulation occurs, a low percentage of relapses, and quick recovery. Disadvantages - high prices and applies only with small seals (up to 3 cm).
- Electrocoagulation - there is an electrosurgical burning of altered tissues with simultaneous cauterization of blood vessels. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, does not leave scars, is painful and is considered an obsolete method.
- The radio wave is a modern, bloodless and safe method, without a suture. Evaporation of water and tumor cells occurs under the influence of a radio wave beam. Suitable for removing neoplasms on the face, but can relieve small tumors.
The removal method is selected by the attending physician.
Neck lipoblastoma
Often, a fatty tumor, especially in women, appears in the neck. It is formed subcutaneously in a layer of loose connective tissue. Sometimes it affects the deeper - the muscular and vascular layers. On palpation, pain is not felt, the tumor is soft, not soldered to the skin, usually has a round or oval shape. Lipoma (wen) on the neck should be given special attention, because:
- In this area there are respiratory organs, glands, large blood vessels, nerves and constantly working muscles.
- Growing in size, it grows inward.
- A cosmetic defect is noticeable and inconvenient.
- The surface of the neck is constantly exposed to external influences: scarves, ties, collars, jewelry.
With the front location of the tumor, compression of nerves and organs is possible. Difficulty in swallowing is sometimes felt, hoarseness of the voice appears, hiccups are possible. Massive neoplasms cause dizziness and headaches due to impaired blood flow. Tumors on the back of the neck often go away without symptoms.
Neck surgery
Surgical intervention is chosen for treatment, it is performed only according to the following indications:
- rapid growth in diameter;
- the amount of education is more than 5 cm;
- swelling on the leg;
- compression of organs or tissues has occurred;
- pain
If superficial fatty tumors are removed under local anesthesia in the clinic, then in case of neoplasm on the neck, hospitalization of the patient is required. Treatment of lipoma (wen) is carried out in three ways:
- Excision of the neoplasm with the capsule. On a significant scale, drainage is required. After the operation, a scar remains, but there will be no reappearance at this place.
- Liposuction - rarely used, relapse is possible.
- Laser - is very popular, does not leave scars.
Complications are rare.
Lipoblastoma on the head
It is noted that a lipoma (wen) subcutaneous on the head often appears in the hair growth zone, chin, cheekbones, cheeks. It rarely reaches large sizes. It looks like a rounded elastic and movable tubercle. According to statistics, fatty tumors on the head more often appear in women. Dimensions usually do not reach more than three centimeters. Pain occurs only when the nerve fibers are clamped.
Sometimes organ functions may be impaired. For example, with compression of the optic nerve, a certain field of vision is lost. You should consult a doctor if the tumor begins to progress rapidly, redness of the skin and pain appear. Self-treatment is not recommended.
Lipoblastoma Surgery
How to treat a lipoma or wen on the head? The surest way to get rid of a neoplasm is to have an operation. There are several ways to do this:
- Laser - done with small tumor sizes. The impact is made only on the tissue formation, no scars remain.
- Radio waves - used to remove tumors on the forehead, temple or neck. The neoplasm is affected by electric shock. The method is completely bloodless, does not leave scars and does not give relapses, does not require long preparation.
- Cryodestruction - small neoplasms on the forehead, temple or neck are frozen with liquid nitrogen. Pathological tissues die off and their subsequent replacement by healthy ones.
If the doctor determines that these methods are not suitable, then a classic operation will be performed.
What is the danger of lipoblastoma on the back?
Neoplasms most often have small sizes and represent movable dense balls under the skin, but they are also able to achieve impressive size, requiring surgical intervention. Zhirovik (lipoma) on the back does not tend to degenerate into a malignant tumor. But despite this, it is advisable to see a doctor. The danger is that the tumor can become inflamed. This occurs due to a back injury in this area, rubbing with clothes, an attempt to get rid of it on one's own. In this case, there is swelling, redness of the skin, a sensation of pain, the formation of a purulent process. Due to the fact that the upper layer of the dermis on the back is very dense, a mature abscess breaks through the walls of the capsule and all the contents penetrate the tissues and nearby organs, which can cause the development of sepsis.
Self-medication of an inflamed fatty tumor is also not worth it. It is very difficult to qualitatively remove the dense lobular structure, so subsequently it will again become inflamed. The best option in this case is to contact a medical institution where the correct treatment will be carried out.
Methods of treating a neoplasm on the back
For treatment, surgery is mainly used. It is shown in the following cases:
- soreness;
- injury;
- inflammatory process;
- fast growth;
- discoloration of the skin.
To remove a lipoma (wen), located on the surface of the back, most often use:
- The classic option is under local or general anesthesia. Depending on the state of the tumor, an incision is made through which the contents are removed along with the capsule. With an inflamed state, drainage is done to drain the purulent discharge. Recovery period up to ten days.
- Laser is the most popular method for removing lipoblastomas on the back. Its advantages are the absence of blood, pain and scarring, the minimum risk of infection. The laser husks the tumor from the surrounding tissue and immediately cauterizes the capillaries.
- Liposuction - evacuation of the contents of the tumor is carried out by electric suction through a puncture made with a thick needle. This method is used to remove small superficial neoplasms. Relapse is possible.
With the appearance of swelling on the back should not be delayed with a visit to the doctor. Timely treatment will save you from complications.
Conclusion
If someone has a question, what is the difference between a wen and a lipoma, then we can answer that in no way are the names of one disease. A benign fatty tumor can appear anywhere and any size. To prevent this from happening, the body should be kept clean, eat right, exercise as much as possible, try not to get injured and avoid hypothermia. If neoplasms are found, you should consult a doctor and strictly follow his recommendations.