Despite numerous studies on the subject, the causes of fibrolipoma are still unclear: according to some doctors, this tumor is the consequence of physical trauma; according to others, it would be related to a sedentary lifestyle; according to still others, it would have a "genetic origin.
Typically, fibrolipoma produces no symptoms; however, if it is very large and / or grows in delicate areas of the human body, it can cause pain, aesthetic discomfort and / or compression of important organs.
Usually, a physical examination is sufficient for the diagnosis of fibrolipoma.
As a rule, fibrolipoma does not require any treatment for its elimination, except when it is painful, is a source of aesthetic discomfort or has the characteristics of liposarcoma, a malignant tumor of adipose tissue.
Brief review of what a tumor is
In medicine, the term "tumor" and its synonym "neoplasm" identify a mass of abnormal cells (called crazy cells), whose rate of division and growth is higher than normal.
A tumor is defined as benign, when the insane cells that constitute it have a moderately higher rate of division and growth than normal, and are not very invasive towards the surrounding tissues and the blood.
To better understand Fibrolipoma: what is Lipoma?
Lipoma is a benign tumor of adipose tissue, which originates from the abnormal proliferation of an adipocyte (adipocytes are the cells that form adipose tissue).
Generally harmless, the lipoma appears, when visible, as a skin relief, with a rubbery consistency and painless to the touch. Histologically, it consists of an agglomeration of abnormal adipocytes, surrounded by capsules of fibrous tissue (fibrous capsules).
Protagonists of a growth process that can last for years, lipomas are usually formations smaller than 5 centimeters; however, it is possible that they can measure up to 10-15 centimeters (giant lipomas).
Although it happens very rarely, lipomas can develop into malignant tumors; when this happens, they become liposarcomas.
Lipomas can develop in any area of the human body; however, they are shown to have a preference for the neck, upper back, shoulders, arms, armpits, buttocks, and thighs. They can affect both genders, but occur more often in men than in women.
The finding of lipomas is more frequent in people over the age of 50, although - it should be noted - the formation of these adipose tissue tumors can also affect young adults, adolescents and children.
According to reliable statistical studies on the general population, the presence of at least one lipoma would be found in one in every 1,000 individuals.
Did you know that ...
About 20% of people with a lipoma develop a similar tumor in another part of the human body.
by Gardner;What is the conspicuous amount of fibrous tissue due to in fibrolipoma?
Doctors describe fibrolipomas as longstanding lipomas.
Over time, in fact, some lipomas are the protagonists of a process that increases the thickness of the fibrous tissue constituting the fibrous capsules.
Did you know that ...
Larger fibrolipomas can weigh as much as 5 kilograms.
Complications
The only complication that fibrolipoma can encounter is its transformation into a malignant tumor of the adipose tissue, called liposarcoma.
Fortunately, the chances of fibrolipoma evolving into a liposarcoma are very low; this means that most of the fibrolipomas remain such, without ever changing from the histological point of view.
What is a malignant tumor?
A tumor is defined as malignant, when the cells that constitute it have a rate of division and growth that is clearly higher than normal and are highly invasive (ie they are capable of affecting the surrounding tissues and spreading to the rest of the organism, through the blood).
When to see a doctor?
Those who have developed a fibrolipoma should monitor the appearance of this tumor periodically, also assessing its consistency, in order to promptly notice any suspicious changes (which, it should be stressed, happen very rarely).
In case of suspicious changes, it is advisable to contact your doctor immediately, to arrange a follow-up visit.
Among the suspicious changes on the part of a fibrolipoma, they deserve a mention:
- The rapid increase in size (a normal fibrolipoma grows slowly);
- The change in consistency, which from rubbery becomes hard;
- The appearance of pain to touch;
- Regrowth of the tumor, despite surgical removal.
Tumor biopsy on a fibrolipoma is the diagnostic test that allows us to accurately establish the type of tumor present and its nature.
It is essential to recognize fibrolipomas that have evolved into fibrosarcomas.
Can fibrolipoma spontaneously regress?
In a considerable number of circumstances, fibrolipoma undergoes spontaneous regression over time.
Spontaneous regression of a fibrolipoma can take several years.
