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What Causes Lipomas In The Upper Extremity?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Oct 2016
Question: i'm getting fat deposits at my joints. I have gained weight but am not obese I only weigh 135 ibs. the first deposits were my wrist then my knees, just noticed now behind my elbows.I am active and fit for my age what the h.... is going on?
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Answered by Dr. Scott Rebich (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Lipoma. Please see a doctor for physical exam and blood work

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,

It sounds like you have lipoma forming which are fatty tumors that are often found in the upper trunk, especially the shoulders, back, neck, and head; but can be found anywhere in the body. There is no known cause. Some are benign but some can be malignant. Therefore, you should be screened by your primary care doctor.

You also need to get routine screening blood work to make sure you don't have any endocrine dysfunctions. Ultrasounds are helpful in identifying lipomas. If diagnostically certain that the lesion is a benign lipoma, observation is a consideration. Treatment of lipoma typically consists of surgical excision; however, advances in medical treatment can shrink lipomas. Treatments like steroid injection or liposuction can be cosmetically useful in superficial lesions, particularly in locations where scars should be avoided. Indications for removal of a suspected lipoma include diagnostic uncertainty, cosmetic concerns, nerve impingement, pain, increase in size, irregular characteristics, size >5 cm, samples of a core needle biopsy consistent with atypical features, or features consistent with a sarcoma.

Hope this helped.

Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Scott Rebich

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2015

Answered : 283 Questions

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What Causes Lipomas In The Upper Extremity?

Brief Answer: Lipoma. Please see a doctor for physical exam and blood work Detailed Answer: Hi there, It sounds like you have lipoma forming which are fatty tumors that are often found in the upper trunk, especially the shoulders, back, neck, and head; but can be found anywhere in the body. There is no known cause. Some are benign but some can be malignant. Therefore, you should be screened by your primary care doctor. You also need to get routine screening blood work to make sure you don't have any endocrine dysfunctions. Ultrasounds are helpful in identifying lipomas. If diagnostically certain that the lesion is a benign lipoma, observation is a consideration. Treatment of lipoma typically consists of surgical excision; however, advances in medical treatment can shrink lipomas. Treatments like steroid injection or liposuction can be cosmetically useful in superficial lesions, particularly in locations where scars should be avoided. Indications for removal of a suspected lipoma include diagnostic uncertainty, cosmetic concerns, nerve impingement, pain, increase in size, irregular characteristics, size >5 cm, samples of a core needle biopsy consistent with atypical features, or features consistent with a sarcoma. Hope this helped. Thanks.