What is the Difference Between Lipoma and Liposarcoma

The key difference between lipoma and liposarcoma is that lipoma is a non-cancerous lump that forms in the fat cells underneath the skin or soft tissues, while liposarcoma is a cancerous lump that forms in the fat cells in soft tissues.

Lipoma and liposarcoma form in the fat cells and can lead to lump formation. Both conditions can be found in soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and nerves. However, a lipoma is not a life-threatening condition, while liposarcoma is a life-threatening condition.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Lipoma
3. What is Liposarcoma
4. Similarities – Lipoma and Liposarcoma
5. Lipoma vs Liposarcoma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Lipoma vs Liposarcoma

What is Lipoma?

Lipoma is a non-cancerous lump of fatty tissue that grows just under the skin. It is a round or oval-shaped lump that easily moves when someone touches it. It also feels rubbery, not hard. It can appear anywhere on the body and is common on the back, trunk, arms, shoulders, and neck. Lipoma is very common, and about 1 in every 1000 people has it. Moreover, lipoma often appears between ages 40 and 60. Lipoma generally presents the following symptoms: the lump being soft, rubbery, and painless, easily moving when touched, round or oval shape, and single lump or multiple lumps. Lipoma is inherited and caused by certain conditions such as Dercum’s disease, Gardener syndrome, multiple hereditary lipomatosis, and madelung’s disease.

Lipoma is diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, imaging tests like ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and computed tomography (CT) scan. Furthermore, treatment options for lipoma may include surgically removing (lipoma surgery) and liposuction.

What is Liposarcoma?

Liposarcoma is a very rare cancer that begins in the fat cells of the soft tissues. It forms in any part of the body but is usually found in the belly, arms, and legs. This condition is not common. It is a soft tissue sarcoma that affects nearly 4 in 100,000 people in the United States each year. The symptoms of this condition may include a new or growing lump around knees or thighs, pain or swelling (swollen belly), weakness in the arm or leg that normally has the lump, loss of appetite, constipation, cramping, bloody vomit, and trouble breathing. There are about 20 genetic mutations that can cause liposarcoma. Moreover, the risk factors for liposarcoma include radiation therapy, exposure to workplace chemicals like vinyl chloride, and certain inherited conditions.

Liposarcoma is diagnosed through physical examination, CT scan, MRI, biopsy, and molecular and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for liposarcoma include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

What are the Similarities Between Lipoma and Liposarcoma?

• Lipoma and liposarcoma are formed in the fat cells and can lead to lump formation.
• Both conditions can be found in soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and nerves.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination, biopsy, and imaging tests.
• They can be treated through surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Lipoma and Liposarcoma?

Lipoma is a non-cancerous lump that forms in the fat cells underneath the skin or in soft tissues, while liposarcoma is a cancerous lump that forms in the fat cells and in soft tissues. Thus, this is the key difference between lipoma and liposarcoma. Furthermore, the lipoma is a common condition, while liposarcoma is a rare condition.

The below infographic presents the differences between lipoma and liposarcoma in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Lipoma vs Liposarcoma

Lipoma and liposarcoma are two medical conditions that begin in the fat cells. These conditions lead to lump formation. Lipoma is a non-cancerous lump and is a common condition, while liposarcoma is a cancerous lump and is a rare condition. So, this is the key difference between lipoma and liposarcoma. Both types of lumps can be surgically removed.

Reference:

1. “Lipoma: What Is It, Causes, Symptoms, Types, Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2.“Learn about Liposarcomas.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Superficial subcutaneous lipoma” By Jmarchn – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Histopathology of liposarcoma, annotated” By Mikael Häggström, M.D. – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia