Giant Lipoma: A Case Report

Lipomas are one of the most common, benign, slow-growing tumours composed of adipose (fat) tissue. These soft, rubbery lumps are usually painless and move easily when touched. Lipomas are generally small, ranging from less than an inch to a few inches in diameter. However, when a lipoma grows to a size larger than 10 cm (about 4 in), it is referred to as a giant lipoma. Only about 1% of all lipomas can be called "giant". Though usually they are benign, in the case of a very large lipoma it is essential to rule out the possibility of malignancy before embarking on its surgical treatment. Lipomas can occur anywhere in the body, but they are most commonly found on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, or thighs. Here, we present a case of a 42-year-old woman with a giant lipoma over her left scapula.