Dear Doctor Column, January 19, 2004

Lipoma Brain Tumor Benign, Slow-growing

Question:

I was diagnosed with a lipoma on my brain. I understand that this is a fatty tumor, but how serious is this condition and what is the treatment?

Answer:

Lipomas are non-cancerous, slow-growing tumors composed of fat tissue. Lipomas usually grow in the neck, shoulders, back, or arms; it's rarer to have a lipoma in the brain. When they do appear in the brain, the most common location is in the region of the corpus callosum (the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain), although they can occur anywhere in the brain.

A lipoma in the brain may cause no symptoms and is often diagnosed coincidentally when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans are performed for other medical reasons. Many brain lipomas are associated with other congenital abnormalities of the nervous system.

Conservative treatment is usually recommended, since these tumors rarely cause symptoms. However, surgery may be recommended in some circumstances.

As we mentioned, lipomas typically appear on the upper body and vary from pea size to several inches in diameter. They can occur at any age, but often appear during ages 40 and 60 years. Usually, a lipoma has been growing for years before it's noticed, and it's fairly common to have more than one. To the touch, lipomas are soft, painless, and moveable under the skin. Physicians can diagnose a lipoma by physical examination alone.

The cause of lipomas is unclear. Some possibilities include having had a minor injury at the site where the lipoma develops, heredity, and chromosomal abnormalities. Lipomas do not appear to be caused by diet or obesity.

Again, if lipomas on the body are painful or are growing quickly, treatment may be needed, although they are rarely symptomatic. Treatment options include steroid shots, liposuction, and surgery.