Lipoma
A lipoma is a soft, fatty lump that grows slowly under the skin. It is harmless, usually painless, and often moves slightly when pressed. Lipomas are common on the shoulders, back, arms, chest and thighs. Most do not need treatment, but any new lump should be checked. A lump that is growing, hard, fixed, painful or larger than about 5 cm needs medical assessment, and a lump that keeps getting bigger needs an ultrasound scan. Lipomas that bother you can be removed under local anaesthetic.
What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign, slow-growing lump of fat cells under the skin, held in a thin capsule. It feels soft and rubbery, is usually painless, and moves slightly when pressed. Lipomas are common, can appear almost anywhere, and range from the size of a pea to several centimetres. They are not cancer.
Some people have more than one lipoma. They are not cancer and very rarely change into one. The main reason to examine a new lump is to make sure it is a lipoma and not something else.
What causes lipoma?
The cause of a lipoma is usually unknown. Lipomas can run in families, and some people develop several over the years. They are most often noticed in middle-aged adults. Rare inherited conditions cause many lipomas, so tell your doctor if relatives have had multiple lumps.
- The cause is usually unknown
- Lipomas can run in families, and some people develop several
- They are most often noticed in adults in middle age
- Rare inherited conditions can cause many lipomas
What are the symptoms?
A lipoma shows as a soft, rubbery lump under the skin that moves slightly when you press it and grows slowly. It is usually painless, though it can ache if it presses on a nerve or is often knocked. Common places are the shoulders, back, neck, arms, chest and thighs.
- A soft, rubbery lump under the skin
- A lump that moves slightly when you press it
- Slow growth over months or years
- Usually no pain, unless it presses on a nerve or sits where it is knocked
- Most often on the shoulders, back, neck, arms, chest or thighs
When should a lump be checked?
Have any new lump checked. A lump needs prompt assessment if it is getting bigger, feels hard, deep or fixed, is larger than about 5 cm, is painful, or has come back after removal. These features do not mean cancer, but the lump may not be a simple lipoma. A lump that keeps getting bigger needs an ultrasound scan.
The warning signs below need prompt attention.
- A lump that is getting bigger
- A lump that is hard, or feels deep and fixed
- A lump larger than about 5 cm
- A lump that is painful, red or hot
- A lump that comes back where one was removed before
How is it diagnosed?
A lipoma is often recognised on examination alone. An ultrasound scan is arranged when the lump is large, deep, growing or not typical, and an MRI scan may follow if doubt remains. After removal, the tissue is examined in the laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.
- Examination, which is often enough to recognise a lipoma
- An ultrasound scan when the lump is large, deep, growing or not typical
- An MRI scan for deep or larger lumps when the scan leaves doubt
- Examination of the removed tissue in the laboratory to confirm what it was
How is a lipoma removed?
A small lipoma that causes no trouble can be left alone. If it is growing, uncomfortable or bothers you, it is removed through a cut in the skin, usually under local anaesthetic, taking out the whole capsule. Large or deep lipomas may need sedation or general anaesthetic. Liposuction leaves a smaller scar but more often recurs.
- Leaving it alone, which is reasonable for a small lipoma that causes no trouble
- Removal through a cut in the skin under local anaesthetic, taking out the whole capsule
- Removal under sedation or general anaesthetic for large or deeper lipomas
- Liposuction in selected cases, which leaves a smaller scar but carries a higher chance of the lipoma coming back
Is it covered by MediSave or insurance?
Dr Wong is a panel doctor under Alliance Medinet. Before your procedure, he can request pre-authorisation from Prudential and AIA, and the clinic writes in to other insurers in the same way. Prudential patients can claim when Dr Wong operates at Aptus Surgery (Paragon), a day surgery centre listed on Prudential's PRUPanel Connect. Pre-authorisation is decided by the insurer and is not a guarantee of payment. Eligible charges may be paid from MediSave within the limits for your procedure, and any uncovered balance is paid in cash.
How it works, step by step: fees, MediSave and insurance.
What is recovery like?
Day of removal Home the same day
Most small lipomas are removed under local anaesthetic
Wound care Keep the dressing dry for the first days
Stitches that do not dissolve are removed at a follow-up visit
Activity Most return to work within days
Avoid straining the area until the wound has healed
What are the risks and complications?
Lipoma removal leaves a scar, usually about the length of the lump. Other risks are bruising, blood or fluid collecting under the wound, infection, and injury to a nearby nerve causing numbness or weakness. The risks depend on where the lump is and how deep it lies. Recurrence is uncommon when the whole capsule is removed, though new lipomas can appear elsewhere.
- A scar, usually about the length of the lump
- Bruising or a small collection of blood or fluid under the wound
- Wound infection
- Injury to a nearby nerve, causing numbness or weakness, depending on where the lump is and how deep
- The lipoma coming back, which is uncommon after complete removal
How much does it cost in Singapore?
Dr Wong’s fees are guided by the Ministry of Health’s benchmark. The figure shown is approximately the upper end of the benchmark for a routine case. Your own fee depends on how complex your case is.
| Procedure | MOH code | Surgeon’s fee, excluding GST | Including 9% GST | MediSave surgical limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin or subcutaneous lump or cyst excision | SA701S | approximately $2,400 | approximately $2,616 | $760 |
| Soft tissue tumour excision | SA715S | approximately $3,600 | approximately $3,924 | $1,120 |
Source: Ministry of Health, Bills and Fee Benchmarks, read 5 November 2026. Surgeon’s fees only. Anaesthetist, hospital, medicines and tests are billed separately. Figures are approximate and use the highest MOH benchmark figure for each procedure. The benchmark is a reference, not a cap. See fees, MediSave and insurance for the full picture.
Medically reviewed by Dr Wong Nan-Yaw
MBBS (NUS), FRCS (Edinburgh). 33 years in medicine (since 1993), 23 years as an accredited specialist (since 2003) and 18 years in private practice at Mount Elizabeth (since 2008). Last reviewed 6 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can a lipoma turn into cancer?
This is extremely rare. The reason to examine a new lump is to confirm it is a lipoma and not a different kind of growth, which is why a lump that is growing, hard, deep or large needs a scan.
Do I need to have my lipoma removed?
Not usually. Removal is reasonable if it is growing, uncomfortable, catching on clothing, or bothers you. If the diagnosis is uncertain, a scan or biopsy comes first, and if a cancer called a sarcoma is suspected, a specialist sarcoma team plans any biopsy or removal.
Will it come back?
Recurrence is uncommon when the whole capsule is removed. New lipomas can still appear elsewhere, especially in people who tend to get several.
Can a lipoma go away without treatment?
Lipomas usually stay the same or grow slowly. Massage or creams do not shrink them.
References and further reading
Looking after yourself at home
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