Hidoc Bulletin

Lipomas are common in nature and are the harmless, slow growing, benign soft-tissue tumor which forms soft, lobulated masses enclosed by a thin, fibrous capsule. Lipomas can develop in all organs throughout the body. Basically these lipomas are benign in nature, however, liposarcomas may occur which are malignant in nature. Considering the prevalence of lipomas, it is observed that mostly its incidence is underreported and nearly 1% of the population go through this condition.

Characteristics and types of lipomas:

 ● Lipomas are relatively small in size with diameters of about 1–6 cm but in rare cases these can grow and form "giant lipomas" with 10–20 cm diameters across and weigh up to 4–5 kg.

● They can be either single or multiple in number and in case of multiple Lipomas, they are known as Lipomatosis.

● Further, if there is presence of nerve fiber in the lipoma, then it is called Neurolipoma and such lipomas are highly painful in nature.

● In the case there is a development of internal lipoma, different complications might occur which include obstruction to bleeding depending on the anatomical site.

● If the heart is involved in the occurrence of lipoma, it can cause ventricular tachycardia.

Etiology of Lipomas:

Although the exact etiology of lipomas is unknown, but it is expected that the association of genetics or any trauma can lead to subsequent lipoma formation.

● A theory has reflected that trauma-related fat herniation through tissue planes can cause pseudo lipomas.

● Further, trauma-induced cytokine release has been suspected to trigger pre-adipocyte differentiation and maturation.

Symptoms:

● Mostly asymptomatic in nature

● A soft, fluctuant feeling, lobulated and free mobile overlying skin can be seen when lipomas originate from fatty tissue between the skin and deep fascia.

● While gently sliding the fingers at the edge of the tumor it will feel to slip out from under- a characteristic called "slippage sign"

Treatment:

Lipomas need to be differentiated from other tumors, sebaceous cyst or an abscess. They can be removed surgically when having severe symptoms or also to rule out liposarcomas but in such cases of surgery, the chance of recurrence is common.

Homeopathy in treating lipoma: Homeopathy can be a potential cure for lipoma which can help in restricting the recurrence of it, arresting the growth of the existing lipomas, reducing the size of the existing lipomas and also in relieving the pain and discomfort associated with lipoma. In order to get the maximum advantage of the homeopathic therapy an early starting of the treatment is required as the homeopathic treatment is a gradual and continuous process. According to homeopathy, illness is caused because of the disharmony in the body and the symptoms are the expression of this disturbance. Thus, the treatment aims to cure the disease from its root cause. Therefore, analyzing the correct choice of treatment from the previous and current case summary becomes important while prescribing homeopathic medication.