Wen on the back: what it looks like, reasons, how to get rid of lipoma

Bohyan

Tigran Surenovich

Experience 36 years

Surgeon of the highest category, Doctor of Medical Sciences, member of the International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists and Oncologists

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Lipoma (fat) is a benign formation in the form of small nodules, the appearance of which is associated with the accumulation and compaction of excess adipose tissue. The size of the lipoma may increase or remain stable. When exposed to unfavorable factors, pockets of pathogenic microflora can form inside the wen, which makes it a source of other serious diseases of internal organs. The unaesthetic appearance of formations protruding on the surface of the skin is also important. Therefore, in most cases, a decision is made to remove the tumor and its subsequent histological examination to clarify the nature of the wen - benign or malignant.

The area of ​​localization of lipoma is the back, chest, face, limbs, mammary glands, structure of internal organs. The formation can be detected accidentally during diagnostic procedures or during palpation. The edges of the lipoma are dense and clear, the formation is mobile, and its palpation is painless. It is more difficult to detect a lipoma in the tissues of internal organs. However, it is precisely such cases that are recognized as the most dangerous, threatening disruptions in the functioning of the affected tissue area.

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Lipoma is the most common soft tissue tumor and consists of fat cells surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule. Popularly, such a neoplasm is called a wen.

Often, a person who is attentive to his body may stumble upon such a subcutaneous formation. Such a finding can cause, at a minimum, caution, and sometimes fear of the oncological process. The unknown is always scary. If you have any concerns, you should consult your doctor. In most cases, subcutaneous neoplasms in soft tissues are benign and do not pose a threat to the owner of the wen. However, lipomas still require the supervision of a specialist who must recognize a malignant process, if one occurs.

Peculiar red flags, signs that make you wary, are rapid tumor growth, pain, and the presence of two or more similar formations on the body.

By external signs, lipoma is little distinguishable from liposarcoma, hygroma, subcutaneous cyst, hematoma, parasitic invasion, inflammation or consequences of injury. Therefore, it is important that any neoplasms be examined by a doctor.

First of all, the question of the malignancy of the tumor is decided at the appointment. Liposarcoma occurs more often in middle-aged and elderly people. This is an aggressive and fast-growing tumor that can put pressure on surrounding organs and tissues and cause pain. Situations when an existing lipoma degenerates into a malignant tumor rarely occur. However, the oncological process requires a radically different approach to diagnosis and treatment, so it is important to diagnose it as early as possible.

Lipomas may have a hereditary predisposition. This fact, combined with the spread of wen to other parts of the body, makes the doctor suspect lipomatosis. Lipomatosis accompanies a number of hereditary syndromes such as Madelung's disease and Dercum's syndrome. Diseases with a family history require a special approach to therapy.

What is atheroma?

Atheroma is a cyst of the sebaceous gland that occurs when its duct is blocked. Sebum cannot come out and accumulates inside, it stretches the gland, and it turns into a cystic cavity. This can happen for a variety of reasons, often due to trauma to the skin.

Atheromas most often occur where there is a lot of hair and sebaceous glands: atheromas on the scalp, face, neck, back, genitals.

In its manifestations, atheroma resembles a lipoma: it is also a “bump” that is located under the skin, does not cause pain and easily moves when pressed. But there is one characteristic sign: usually there is a hole in the skin in the area of ​​atheroma through which contents with an unpleasant odor are periodically released. Inside the atheroma there is a substance that resembles cottage cheese or paste in consistency.

Atheroma is a benign formation. It's not cancer. The only thing that is dangerous about it is the possibility of suppuration. An infected and inflamed “bump” swells, turns red, and becomes painful. Sometimes it opens and pus comes out along with fat.

Atheromas can degenerate into malignant tumors, but this happens very rarely.

Reasons for appearance

There are many factors that influence the formation of lipomas. Among the reasons are hereditary predisposition, impaired metabolism of fatty acids in the body, liver disease, pancreatic disease, non-compliance or violation of hygiene rules.

For a long time it was believed that soft tissue injury predisposes to the development of lipomas, but this fact was subsequently refuted in research. Thus, doctors agree that one reason that would explain all the processes has not yet been found. However, predisposition to gastrointestinal lipomas has a proven connection with a gene mutation on chromosome 12. In other cases, the reasons remain unknown.

Where does this lipoma come from?

No one would dare to announce the exact version of the origin of the subcutaneous wen, so it all comes down to factors such as:

1. Metabolic disorder with blockage of sebaceous ducts; 2. Wrong lifestyle; 3. Dietary disorders; 4. Mechanical stress on the back, irritating the skin (loaders' disease); 5. Heredity, when the disease is transmitted by genes from some previous generation; 6. Weak immune defense of the body; 7. Even smoking and the like.

Priority in the causes of lipoma is still given to heredity.

Symptoms and classification

Lipomas are distinguished by anatomical location into lipomas of the head, face and neck, lipomas of the trunk, extremities, chest (mediastinum), mammary gland, gastrointestinal tract, internal organs, retroperitoneal tissue, spermatic cord. There are also rare localizations in the myocardium, lungs, and meninges.

Another classification of adipose tissue tumors involves a clinical division:

• Lipoma surrounding nerve structures is called perineural . Due to compression of the nerves it can cause severe pain. Removal of perineural lipomas differs from subcutaneous lipomas and requires a highly qualified surgeon;
• A tumor growing in the spinal canal (usually in the lumbar region) is called lumbosacral lipoma; Mostly occurs in children and is combined with underdevelopment of spinal structures;
• Lipoma of the joint and its structures (synovium, vagina, tendons);
• Intermuscular lipomas are formed from areas of adipose tissue between muscle fibers;
• Angiomyolipoma is a tumor of fatty and muscle tissue, which in most cases grows in the kidneys and pancreas. Middle-aged and mature men are more predisposed to its formation;
• Subcutaneous lipoma is a formation of varying sizes in the subcutaneous fat tissue. In everyday life it is usually called wen.

Lipomas usually occur alone. However, some patients discover several tumors at once. Such cases are most often associated with hereditary diseases and require careful study by specialists. The most common places for lipomas to form are the neck, back and limbs.

A subcutaneous lipoma is a mobile, elastic seal in the form of a lump or ball, which does not cause pain when pressed. A neoplasm can cause pain if it grows beyond its capsule into healthy tissue or due to compression of adjacent nerves.

For example, a wen located on the head can cause headaches, and the same formation on the neck can cause hoarseness and difficulty swallowing.

Gastrointestinal lipomas differ from their subcutaneous counterparts. Small formations in the intestine do not cause symptoms and are often discovered incidentally during an instrumental examination of the gastrointestinal tract. However, if it increases in size, this happens when the tumor reaches 2 or more centimeters in diameter, the lipoma can block part of the intestinal lumen and cause intestinal obstruction, intussusception, stool problems, abdominal pain and even bleeding.

Wen on the body: reasons, how to get rid of it

A small growth on the skin, a pea-sized “nodule”, can cause anxiety and concern. Concerns increase if the formation begins to gradually increase in size. The specialist’s diagnosis of lipoma only adds fuel to the fire of worry, since it is very similar to the name of many dangerous malignant tumors.

In fact, there is no real reason for concern, since wen extremely rarely (almost never) degenerates into a malignant neoplasm. This is a benign tumor that is characterized by slow growth or stable size over a long period of time. Why wen appears on the body and how to deal with them, you will learn from the publication presented to your attention.

What is a wen?

Wen is an unofficial, “folk” name for a subcutaneous formation formed by adipose tissue. In official medicine, the scientific term “lipoma” is used, which reflects the histological composition of the tumor.

Lipoma is a benign tumor that remains as such throughout its existence. A wen on the body is not characterized by malignant degeneration. From this point of view, it does not pose a health threat. The problem is mainly of an aesthetic nature, especially if the tumor is located on an open area of ​​the body - on the face, on the neck, on the skin of the distal parts of the arms.

A distinctive feature of any benign tumor is that it is formed from cells surrounded by a fibrous capsule. In this way, wen on the body differs from atheroma - another neoplasm, the appearance of which is caused by fat. Atheroma is an accumulation of sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands. Atheroma is formed due to blockage of the ducts of the sebaceous glands. The secretion of the gland cannot come out, accumulates under the skin and manifests itself in the form of a small or medium-sized formation that rises above the skin.

Lipoma, unlike atheroma, does not consist of the secretion of the sebaceous glands, but of fat cells surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. A skin formation appears as a result of abnormally active division and growth of adipocytes. All cells, regardless of the size of the wen, remain differentiated, that is, they retain their typical characteristics, which makes it easy to distinguish a lipoma from a malignant tumor. A cancer tumor is characterized by impaired differentiation and atypical cell structure. In the case of lipoma, these signs of malignancy are not present.

Lipoma is a benign tumor of adipose tissue, which consists of differentiated adipocytes surrounded by a fibrous capsule. Malignant degeneration is not typical for wen on the body; they do not pose a danger to health or life.

Reasons for the appearance of wen

Numerous studies devoted to the problem discussed in the publication have not made it possible to establish a single cause of lipomas. Currently, it is generally accepted that a wen on the body appears as a result of the combined action of a number of predisposing factors, among which endogenous causes predominate.

Among the risk factors, the most important role is played by metabolic disorders associated with enzymatic deficiency. Particularly dangerous in this regard are disorders affecting the biochemical mechanisms of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The cause of lipoma can be hormonal disorders not related to the pathology of the endocrine system. In particular, in women, a neoplasm can appear during pregnancy, lactation or after the end of the lactation period.

Endocrine diseases are also among the risk factors. If a person has wen on the body, the reasons should be sought in the functioning of the hormonal system. Dysfunction of the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid (hypothyroidism) or pancreas (diabetes) may be the root of the problem. A risk factor is an imbalance in the secretion of sex hormones, which is important for women taking oral contraceptives and athletes using pharmacological agents to accelerate results.

A fatty deposit on the body can occur even against the background of complete well-being, that is, in the absence of any endocrine disorders, hormonal changes or metabolic problems. Doctors explain this by genetic predisposition: people whose relatives have encountered a similar problem have a higher risk of developing lipoma. Hereditary, or familial, lipomatosis is characterized by the appearance of multiple wen at a young age.

Among exogenous factors, nutrition is of greatest importance. The risk of lipoma is higher if a person's diet is dominated by simple carbohydrates (sugar, confectionery, flour), as well as saturated and hydrogenated fats. A risk factor is systematic alcohol consumption. All these substances interfere with the natural course of metabolic processes, which is fraught with the formation of a benign tumor of adipose tissue.

Another possible cause of the appearance of a wen on the body is mechanical trauma, which leads to neurotrophic disorders in the integumentary tissues. They, in turn, can provoke the proliferation of subcutaneous fat cells. It is possible that exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the skin plays a certain role, but the connection between this factor and the appearance of lipomas has not been proven.

Localization, appearance, symptoms

The concept of “typical localization” does not apply to wen on the body. The tumor can appear on any part of the body: on the back of the foot or hand, on the shoulder or forearm, on the back, on the chest, on the face or on the abdomen. In short, lipoma does not have a “favorite” location; the tumor can appear anywhere.

As for the symptoms, that is, the appearance of the tumor, there is more certainty. Externally, the lipoma looks like a pea; it is characterized by a rounded shape with regular and even edges. On palpation, the adipose tissue tumor is soft or moderately dense. The surface is smooth. The color can be flesh-colored, reddish or brownish, depending on how abundantly blood vessels grow into the tumor.

An important diagnostic criterion is the mobility of the tumor. The subcutaneous wen on the body is always mobile; it is not fused to deeper tissues and moves freely with the skin. This symptom makes it easy to distinguish a lipoma from a malignant tumor. The latter grows into deep tissues, which is why it becomes immobile.

Size is difficult to use as a diagnostic criterion because it can vary over a wide range. Typically, a fatty tissue tumor has a diameter of 0.5 to 1 cm, but there may be exceptions to this rule. Wen on the body can reach 2-3 cm in diameter. There are cases when, as a result of growth, a lipoma reached gigantic sizes - more than 10 cm in diameter.

The last symptom - pain - is not typical for wen. As a rule, education does not remind us of itself. The exception is situations when a person mechanically injures him. When struck, scratched or pinched, a sharp pain may occur, which is not too intense and passes quickly. However, if a tumor of adipose tissue puts pressure on superficial vessels and nerves, the clinical picture may include moderate or even severe pain.

Are wen dangerous?

As already mentioned, the prognosis for this benign tumor is extremely favorable. The neoplasm is not characterized by malignant degeneration, so nothing threatens life. However, this does not mean that you can forget about lipoma, since certain health risks are still present.

In case of mechanical damage (cut, pinching, blow) inflammatory processes may begin in the depths of the formation. If the integrity of the skin is damaged, there is a risk of infection in the wound. The result of this may be the development of a necrotic or purulent-inflammatory process, after treatment of which visible scars will remain on the skin.

Scars can also form after removal of a large tumor. A small lipoma can be removed without leaving a trace, so that there are no noticeable scars left on the skin. When removing large and giant wen, it is difficult to avoid scar changes. Meanwhile, large wen must be removed, since sooner or later they will begin to put pressure on the nerves and blood vessels. It follows from this that it is better to get rid of the wen at an early stage, before it grows to a large size, the only question is how to do this?

How to get rid of wen?

Many people, in an attempt to get rid of the tumor, resort to traditional medicine recipes. Numerous publications devoted to this problem offer various remedies: compresses made from onions, garlic or sprouted wheat, applications of celandine and other medicinal herbs. Unfortunately, such an approach is doomed to failure; it is not possible to get rid of education using folk remedies. Traditional recipes are unlikely to provoke the growth of a lipoma, but they certainly will not lead to a reduction in its size.

Official medicine offers two options for solving the problem. You can get rid of small lipomas using a minimally invasive procedure, which involves injecting a special solution deep into the formation that destroys adipocytes. The disadvantage of this method is that there is a high risk of relapse, the capsule is not removed, and the method can only be used for small (up to 2-3 cm) tumor sizes.

Surgical removal of a wen on the body is an effective and universal treatment method. The lipoma is removed along with the surrounding capsule. Minor surgery is performed using a traditional, radio wave or laser scalpel. Accordingly, traditional surgical, radio wave and laser removal are distinguished.

All methods of surgical treatment are effective, but from an aesthetic point of view they are not equivalent. After traditional surgical removal of a tumor, small scars often remain, even if the doctor removes a small tumor. Radio wave surgery allows you to minimize the severity of scars, and the laser method makes it possible to perform the operation absolutely without leaving a trace.

Laser lipoma removal has many benefits. The laser knife seals the vessels immediately after they are damaged, reduces bleeding, and injures the skin to a lesser extent. Since laser pulses have a detrimental effect on pathogenic and opportunistic microflora, there is no risk of infectious complications. In addition, the laser stimulates regeneration, which shortens the recovery period, accelerates skin healing and avoids scar formation.

The problem is that the laser method is used only for medium-sized and small-sized wen; large and gigantic ones (more than 10 cm in diameter) are forced to be removed by the doctor using the traditional surgical method. Given their size, it is almost impossible to avoid scar formation.

Since the aesthetic component of the operation is a concern for all patients, doctors recommend removing lipomas in the early stages. The deciding factor is the size of the education. A tumor on the face can be removed without a trace if its diameter does not exceed 1 centimeter. Wen on the body are removed without scarring if their size is no more than 2.5-3 cm.

Laser removal of wen is the most effective and safe method. It is better to remove lipomas in the early stages, when their size does not exceed 1 cm if localized on the face or 3 cm if localized on the body.

The operation is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia; only giant lipomas require the use of general anesthesia (anesthesia). The patient returns home on the day of surgery. During the recovery period, it is necessary to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays and avoid exposure to high or low temperatures. It is advisable not to wet the wound with water and regularly treat it with antiseptic solutions.

Removal of fatty tissues on the body: price

Surgeries to remove fatty tissue are carried out in aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery clinics. It is advisable to contact a medical institution equipped with modern equipment for laser manipulation.

The price of removing wen with a laser is low.
The exact cost depends on the size of the education. The cost of removing a small lipoma (up to 3 cm) in Moscow clinics is about 5 thousand rubles. The cost of treating a tumor up to 10 cm in size increases to 8-9 thousand rubles. Treatment of large and giant lipomas costs more - up to 15 thousand rubles, depending on the size of the formation and the category of complexity of the operation. You will receive more detailed information about lipoma removal methods during a consultation with a doctor at the Galaktika aesthetic medicine clinic (Moscow)

Treatment methods

The treatment method is selected based on the location of the tumor, size and medical history of the patient. First of all, the doctor must make sure that the patient’s neoplasm is benign. To do this, the doctor carefully examines the patient, collects anamnesis and, if necessary, refers him to the necessary tests. For the differential diagnosis of lipomas, ultrasound examination of soft tissues, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging are used and, if a malignant tumor is suspected, a tumor biopsy is taken.

The most common type of tumor from adipose tissue is a subcutaneous lipoma, which does not cause dysfunction of organs, systems and does not threaten the patient’s life, and removal is performed only for cosmetic purposes.

Also, indications for surgical treatment of lipoma are large tumor sizes, 5 cm or more, and the presence of symptoms caused by the tumor.

There is no effective conservative treatment for lipomas. It is also worth noting that traditional methods such as heating and applying ice do not affect tumors from adipose tissue. However, they can cause serious complications if the neoplasm is of a different nature. For example, when atheroma is heated (atheroma is an accumulation of sebaceous secretion that clogs the duct of the sebaceous gland and causes inflammation), inflammation may spread and infect healthy tissues that are nearby.

Among the surgical methods for treating lipomas are:

• lipoma excision
• liposuction
• laser removal
• endoscopic method (for gastrointestinal lipomas)

Diagnosis and treatment of lipoma at the JSC Meditsina clinic in Moscow

The clinic of JSC "Medicine" in the Central Administrative District of Moscow is ready to offer professional assistance to patients with suspected single or multiple cases of lipoma development. The center’s specialists have high-quality equipment and extensive practical experience in using various methods of removing a tumor focus. Each patient is guaranteed attentive attention, referral to a full course of examinations and an individual approach to developing lipoma treatment tactics. Appointments are available on the clinic’s website and by calling the numbers provided.

Advantages and disadvantages of various methods

• Lipoma excision.

Excision of a lipoma is the simplest and most affordable way to remove a wen. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon injects the lipoma with an anesthetic and removes the tumor along with the capsule through an incision in the skin. Removal of the fibrous capsule is an undeniable advantage of this method. This prevents the re-formation of lipoma in the old place, which means it reduces the risk of relapse to a minimum. This method also allows one to examine the histological structure of the tumor. In general, the operation lasts no more than half an hour.

• Liposuction.

Liposuction allows the tumor to be removed through a small hole. A special device is inserted into the cavity of the wen, which destroys the lipoma. Many doctors and patients love this method for its minimal invasiveness and good cosmetic results. However, the disadvantage is the inability to remove the fibrous capsule of the wen, which creates the possibility of future relapse of the tumor.

• Laser removal.

Laser techniques are used to eliminate tumors larger than 3 cm. The method is gentle, carries minimal risks of bleeding and infection, and does not leave wounds or scars.

How are atheromas and lipomas treated?

Atheromas are treated surgically; the type of operation will depend on the size of the formation. Small sebaceous cysts can be removed with a laser. Most often, atheromas are large in size and are removed with a scalpel. The “bump” on the skin is surrounded by two incisions, then the cyst is peeled out and removed along with a small piece of skin. Stitches are placed on the wound.

Atheroma cannot be cured by “sucking out” the contents with a needle and syringe. It is imperative to remove the walls of the stretched sebaceous gland - if they remain, they will begin to produce sebum again, and the cyst will grow again.

If atheroma suppurates, surgical treatment is performed, and the doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. Lipomas do not need to be treated. The operation is performed if:

• education is large and growing rapidly;
• the lipoma is in an inconvenient place and is constantly in the way;
• bothered by soreness;
• The patient himself insists on removing the lipoma.

Wen is removed in the classic way, using a scalpel. Relapses are possible, but extremely rare. Typically, atheromas and lipomas are removed on an outpatient basis; hospitalization is not necessary. Anesthesia is also not needed - local anesthesia is sufficient. The operation lasts on average 15–20 minutes.

Make an appointment by phone +7 (495) 120-08-07.

Preparation for the procedure

In case of subcutaneous lipoma removal, no special preparation is required. The mini-surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning it does not require hospitalization. The surgeon performs all necessary manipulations under local anesthesia. Thus, the procedure is painless for the patient.

Giant subcutaneous lipomas, as well as neoplasms of the intestines, internal organs, and peritoneum require more serious and thorough preparation. Operations of this type are carried out with hospitalization of the patient. Before the intervention, samples are taken and, if necessary, additional studies are done. Operations performed under general anesthesia require restriction of water and food on the eve of the operation.

Diagnosis of the disease

Lipoma is a rather inert pathology and may not manifest itself for years. It is often diagnosed accidentally during the treatment of other diseases. A tumor can be detected by:

• Ultrasound of soft tissues and internal organs.
• X-ray.
• Computed tomography and MRI.

Once the presence of a lump has been confirmed, the doctor needs to determine its nature in order to create an optimal treatment plan. Here's where they come in:

• A biopsy to assess how cancerous the tumor is.
• Blood analysis. To assess the general condition of the patient.
• Additional tests prescribed if the patient has poor heredity or has other health problems (for example, an allergy to anesthetics).