Diagnostic Considerations

Also consider the following:

Lipoblastomas
Liposarcomas ^[11]: This is the most common soft-tissue malignancy in adults. Liposarcomas rarely arise in a preexisting lipoma and appear in middle-aged or elderly adults. A liposarcoma can present as a rapidly growing nonmobile mass that is painful, owing to its compression of nerves. The overlying skin can become ulcerated. If a liposarcoma is suspected, perform a fine-needle aspiration or biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Spindle cell adenolipoma, a rare variant of cutaneous lipomas ^[12]
Chondroid lipoma, a benign entity that can be misdiagnosed as sarcoma on histopathology ^[13]
Cutaneous intramuscular lipoma, rare variant with few reported cases worldwide ^[14]
Neurofibromas
Epidermoid cysts (occasionally)
Obesity
Sialadenitis
Goiter
Lymphatic tumor
Dermatofibromas (occasionally)
Blue rubber bleb nevus, eccrine spiradenoma, neuroma, neurofibromas, glomus tumors, granular cell tumors, angiolipomas, leiomyoma; also termed BENGAL

Differential Diagnoses

Benign cyst
Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome
Dermatofibroma
Dermatologic Manifestations of Glomus Tumor
Leiomyoma
Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis (rare)

A few cases have been reported in India (Jinkala et al).

Workup

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Media Gallery

A 43-year-old white man with a 3- to 4-year history of a slow-growing asymptomatic growth on his right shoulder.
A 43-year-old man with a slow-growing asymptomatic growth.
Surgical excision of a 6-cm lipoma on the back of a 54-year-old man using the squeeze technique.

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Author

Marjon Vatanchi, MD Board Certified Dermatologist, Board Certified Micrographic Dermatologic Surgeon

Marjon Vatanchi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Dermatologic Society of Greater New York, Medical Dermatology Society, National Psoriasis Foundation, New England Dermatological Society, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Vineet Mishra, MD, FAAD Director of Mohs Surgery and Dermatologic Surgery, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Vineet Mishra, MD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Surgery, American College of Phlebology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD Dermatologic/Mohs Surgeon, The Surgery Center at Plano Dermatology

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Rosalie Elenitsas, MD Herman Beerman Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Director, Penn Cutaneous Pathology Services, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Rosalie Elenitsas, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Received royalty from Lippincott Williams Wilkins for textbook editor.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Elsevier; WebMD<br/>Served as a speaker for various universities, dermatology societies, and dermatology departments.

Additional Contributors

Janet Fairley, MD Professor and Head, Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine

Janet Fairley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Federation for Medical Research, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Moraru, MD Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, St Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center

Robert A Moraru, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Cutaneous Lipomas Differential Diagnoses

Diagnostic Considerations

Differential Diagnoses

References

Tables

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