A lipoma is a benign (not harmful) tumor composed of adipose tissue (body fat). It is the most common soft tissue tumor. Usually they are soft, easy to move and in the most cases painless. In most cases they are small (under one centimeter diameter) but they can grow to sizes greater than six centimeters. 

Lipomas are commonly found in adults from 40 to 60 years of age, but they can also be found in younger adults and children. Usually, treatment is not necessary as they very rarely can transform to cancer. They can grow very slowly though, so that many patients prefer to do the plastic surgery when it is small avoiding thus large scars in the future.

Removal of the lipoma is performed under local anesthesia. The plastic surgeon will make a small skin incision and will remove the tumor completely. This will be send for biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.